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Ian Keatley and Fionn Carr did all the scoring as Magners League basement side Connacht continued the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Galway on Wednesday with a 16-3 victory over the Magners League play-off chasing Newport Gwent Dragons.

Keatley won the battle of the young flyhalves, as Connacht picked up a much-needed win over a weakened Dragons selection.

However, they are still languishing in last place - but at least they are four points closer to Scarlets.

The Dubliner, Keatley, kicked three penalties and converted Carr's first-half try to extend Connacht's impressive unbeaten home run, which stretches back to September, and dent the Dragons' play-off hopes.

Paul Turner's Dragons were missing Wales squad members Luke Charteris and Danny Lydiate, who are on international duty this week, and the injured trio of Adam Jones, Lewis Evans and James Harris.

But it is doubtful if any of those players would have made a difference at the Sportsground as Connacht were largely dominant and the Dragons were restricted to just a single penalty from 20-year-old flyhalf Jason Tovey.

It was clear from the off that Keatley, who is two years older than his opposite number, would have the better platform to work off as the Connacht forwards were very effective at set piece time, with lock Mike McCarthy stealing two Dragons line-outs.

That hard graft up front saw Keatley convert two penalty goals after nine and 15 minutes and Michael Bradley's men moved 13-0 ahead at the midpoint of the half, completing a terrific breakaway try.

Scrumhalf Conor O'Loughlin used turnover ball to make a break and kick through for Liam Bibo to chase. He gathered well and found his fellow wing Carr with a lofted pass, and Connacht's top try scorer of the current campaign did the rest, outpacing the cover to score close to the posts.

Keatley added the extras onto Carr's 12th try in 16 outings this season.

The Dragons, with Toby Faletau making his first start and Andrew Coombs debuting as a replacement in the second half, showed signs of life with some strong running from centre Matthews Watkins.

But their wide men were kept out of the game as Connacht kept play tight.

Tovey landed a penalty to cut the gap to 13-3 for half-time, after Tom Willis and his Dragons forwards were stopped five metres out.

However, the Dragons were off colour once again during a rather listless second half.

With John Muldoon and George Naoupu carrying well, Connacht built through the phases impressively, setting up an early penalty kick for Keatley which he sent through the posts.

The Ireland international missed two further place-kicks, and while the Dragons almost hit back with a try - Bibo produced a brilliant hit on Watkins to force a turnover - and ended the game camped on the home line, Connacht held firm to hand the Welsh side their first defeat in five matches.

Scorers:

For Connacht:
Try: Carr
Con: Keatley
Pens: Keatley

For Newport Gwent Dragons:
Pen: Tovey

Teams:

Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Liam Bibo, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Keith Matthews, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Conor O'Loughlin, 8 George Naoupu, 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 John Muldoon (captain), 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 Adrian Flavin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Loughney, 17 Robbie Morris, 18 Bernie Upton, 19 Mike McComish, 20 Kieran Campbell, 21 Miah Nikora, 22 Aidan Wynne.

Newport Gwent Dragons: 15 Martyn Thomas, 14 Will Harries, 13 Mathew Watkins, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Jason Tovey, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 Grant Webb, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Toby Faletau, 5 Hoani Macdonald, 4 Rob Sidoli, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tom Willis (captain), 1 Hugh Gustafson.
Replacements: 16 Steve Jones, 17 Pat Palmer, 18 Andrew Coombs, 19 Adam Brown , 20 Tom Riley, 21 James Arlidge, 22 James Leadbeater.

Referee: Andrew Macpherson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland), Ollie Hodges (Ireland)