A host of midlands players were involved for the Irish province against Lyon on Saturday.
Connacht will be reflecting on errors that cost them a potentially historic result in France, according to former Ireland prop Mike Ross.
The Westerners needed to secure a victory in Lyon to keep their Champions Cup interest alive but fell to a 34-20 defeat.
Despite scoring three tries, Pete Wilkins' side were overpowered on occassion at set-piece and missed a number of first-up tackles.
Birr's Peter Dooley, Athlone's Jack Carty, former buccaneers man Darragh Murray all started, while Ballinasloe's Matthew Devine made his debut off the bench.
A former expert exponent of the dark arts in the front row, Ross says Dooley and Connacht did relatively well all things considered:
Laois SFC: Killeshin Deliver Knockout Blow To Portlaoise
Westmeath SFC: Moate All Whites Turn Attention To County "Standard Bearers"
Town Continue Rich Vein Of Form With Creditable Students Draw
Offaly SFC: Shamrocks And Tullamore Secure Semi-Final Spots
John Heslin Aiming To Feature For Westmeath Next Season
Westmeath SFC: St Loman's Mullingar And Moate All Whites Progress
Athlone Town Move Closer To Women's Premier Division Title
Alex Dunne Keeps F2 Title Hopes Alive With Spanish GP Podium
I've Great People Around Me - Shane Lowry
Trump To Lift US Tariff On Irish Whiskey After Talks With Shane Lowry
Lowry Breaks Title Drought With Magnificent Irish Open Victory
Shane Lowry Leading The Way At The Irish Open
Alex Dunne Secures Front Row Start For F2 Feature Race In Madrid
Former Golf Coach Stunned With Stuart Grehan Not Competing At Irish Open
Treaty United The Next Test For Athlone Town
Mark McHugh To Remain In Charge Of Westmeath Footballers
Cannonball 2026 Heading For Offaly Today
Westmeath SFC: St Loman's Mullingar Aiming To Push Forward
Laois SFC: Places In The Semi-Finals Up For Grabs