But over Christmas, it looked as if the wheels were coming off an injury-hit Connacht's charge after they suffered four PRO12 defeats in a row.
That 30-17 triumph over Scarlets set them back on track and they proceeded to lose just twice more all season - and in hindsight, the importance of the result is not lost on Muldoon.
"To beat Scarlets at home with a bonus point was a real turning point for us," the flanker told Ireland's Sunday Independent. "We had a week off to gather ourselves and reset our goals and we came out in the next block of games and got three or four bonus-point wins in a row.
"We had our little wobble on the road where it could have all gone wrong but the fact that we were able to gather ourselves and get that win against the Scarlets at home was huge for us and that gave us a big boost to go forward into the year."
And regardless of the outcome this weekend, Muldoon insists Connacht will do everything in their power to ensure this season is not a one-off.
"We have to maintain that (progress) and it will be a big focus in pre-season and on into the future that Connacht are up there and it's not just a flash in the pan," added 33-year-old Muldoon.
"We've got a lot of young fellas hungry to play rugby and hungry for success and international honours.
"We should be in a good place for a few years, and if I can hang on the back of that a little while longer I'll be delighted."
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Guinness PRO12 Connacht News
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