Captain John Muldoons man-of-the-match performance propelled Connacht to a hard-earned 18-7 Guinness PRO12 win over Cardiff Blues at the Sportsground.The veteran number eight made some key defensive plays as Pat Lams men ended a three-match losing streak against Welsh opposition this season.John Cooneys final kick of the first half gave Connacht a 10-7 lead at the break, adding to his earlier try from an advancing scrum.Cardiff had cancelled out that seven-pointer almost immediately with Tom James intercept effort.However, a Cooney penalty and Bundee Akis first try of the campaign gave the hosts some breathing space in the third quarter and they eventually sent the 6,190-strong crowd home happy as the Blues were left to rue a high error count.Connacht were the early aggressors, recent Ireland debutant Niyi Adeolokun making a half-break to set up a decent period of attacking pressure. However, a couple of mistimed lineouts and forward passes let Cardiff off the hook.The Blues scrambled back to deny Stacey Ili after lovely hands from the hosts back row had released the winger for a kick chase, but the resulting five-metre scrum saw Connacht drive powerfully over the line, with returning scrum-half Cooney getting the touchdown.The try-scorer added a fine conversion from the left wing, yet Connacht blundered from the restart, Jack Cartys looping pass picked off too easily by James for a simple run-in from 15 metres out.Steve Shingler converted for seven points apiece. Suddenly, it was Cardiff dictating as their centres Willis Halaholo and Rey Lee-Lo punched holes in the home defence.A knock-on denied the visitors a close-range try before Shingler sent a scrum penalty wide. It was a scrappy second quarter, pockmarked by handling errors from both sides.The Blues broke up Connachts momentum with some well-judged ruck poaches and penalties before a forceful late scrum allowed Cooney to restore the provinces lead from in front of the posts.The frosty conditions made for a hard slog on the resumption, Connacht managing to add to their lead courtesy of a second Cooney penalty, punishing George Earles early tackle on Conor Carey.Cardiff fell further behind by the hour mark, Adeolokun snapping up turnover ball from Matthew Morgan and kicking through.Connacht piled forward and good hands out to the left saw a tackled Tiernan OHalloran pop the ball back for Aki to crash over, with Carty missing the difficult conversion.Cardiff were unable to respond, despite countering impressively from a loose Carty kick and then going close from a terrific 70th-minute backs move.Adeolokun did just enough to thwart replacement Morgan just inches from the whitewash, while South African out-half Marnitz Boshoff came on to help Connacht seal the result.White Air Max 97 Sale . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Cheap Air Max 97 Grey . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. http://www.cheapairmax97.com/ . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. All Red Air Max 97 . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. Orange Air Max 97 Shop . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday.Ambitious NRL premiers Cronulla have outlined their bold bid to emulate South Sydney and add the Auckland Nines and World Club Challenge titles to the clubs trophy cabinet.Until two months ago, the Sharks only piece of silverware was the 1979 Amco Cup.Now Shane Flanagans premiership winners are eyeing rugby leagues Triple Crown.But the Sharks will have to overcome a gruelling schedule, with their World Club Challenge showdown with Wigan to take place in England on February 18 - a fortnight after the two-day Auckland Nines.Its going to be a hard task. Its going to be a big month for myself and the Sharks, but Im sure were capable of doing it, said Sharks centre Jack Bird, who is also likely to feature for the Indigenous All Stars against the World All Stars in Newcastle on February 10.Given his sides demanding program - all before the NRL season proper even begins - Flanagan is unlikely to take a star-studded line-up to Auckland.ddddddddddddBird, though, says hes certain to play after recovering from a dislocated elbow that the rugged centre heroically played with for much of Cronullas 14-12 grand final victory over Melbourne.The 21-year-old was a member of the Sharks side that was pipped 18-14 by South Sydney in extra time of the 2015 Auckland Nines final.Souths win came after their drought-breaking NRL grand final triumph over Canterbury and before the Rabbitohs 39-0 drubbing of St Helens in the World Club Challenge.Despite possibly being understrength in Auckland, Bird insists the Sharks are gunning for the title.Thats the plan. We go over there hoping that we can win the comp. ' ' '