Leinster left Galway with four points, a six point lead at the top of the URC table and a few injuries to add to the casualty list.
The Blues beat Connacht 10-0 - the first time the westerners were shut out since 2016, when Leinster beat them 13-0 only to lose to their interpro rivals in the PRO14 final.
But it wasn't pretty viewing as wind swirled and the rain pelted down on the Sportsground.
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“We're pleased with how our guys dug in over the course of the game," said Leinster supremo Leo Cullen.,
“It's one of those ones where you're kinda like take your four points, get back on the bus and off you go again."
Munster at the Aviva are next up for Leinster next Saturday and James Ryan and tonight's man of the match Josh van der Flier are now among the doubts, though skipper Johnny Sexton will return.
“We had a number of guys away as has been well documented but they'll come back into the frame," said Cullen.
“Jack (Conan), his eye had a cut in there. We'll see how that settles down.
"James Ryan came off, just sort of twisted his knee awkwardly. Again, we'll see how that is. Then Josh van der Flier, his ankle."
Tadhg Furlong made his first appearance of the season, pulled off a superb pick up and pass out the back, and then didn't reappear for the second half.
“With Tadhg, that was the plan," said Cullen. "Just get him through 40 minutes rather than get him to come back out again."
Reflecting on a tough night that produced just one try, Cormac Foley's third minute effort, Cullen remarked: "We started the game well.
"Jeepers, you're looking out the window all afternoon thinking the weather is lovely here today and then you see the forecast, you kinda knew it was coming.
“We had some more chances to push on but couldn't quite nail them. Then Connacht come back into the game.
“It's a very difficult place to come. There's the crowd influence, they're into everything, aren't they? The Connacht players feed off that, so they made life difficult for us with their defence.
“You can see what it means to them. I think it's a great reflection of provincial rugby in Ireland.
"I know the game is not a classic but there is great intent and desire to represent and give everything to your team. That's the real positive.
“The form book does go out the window a little bit because the players want to give it everything."
Connacht director of rugby Andy Friend was proud of his side's effort, though disappointed with the result.
“Yeah, we don’t want to be the footy team that loses 10-0 and say we’re proud of that because it’s Leinster," he said.
"We’re proud of the effort but we’re not pleased with the result and the fact that we left so many chances out there.
“I do think, and I do know, that our performances are getting better in every game.
"That was a better performance again but that’s another loss for us, so we’re one from five at the minute and we’ve got two games to finish this block and it’s important to get wins there.”
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