[muawiyah]

http://www.space.com/18533-giant-sun-eruption-nasa-video.html or, just go to that one~

[justa-hairyape]

Supposedly the strength of the solar maximum is not directly related to individual solar eruptions. So even in weak cycles you can have major eruptions. Leif is one of the world experts on solar activity and his article below is interesting.

Solar Activity – Past, Present, Future

Several lines of evidence suggest that the Sun is entering a period of low activity, perhaps even a Grand Minimum. Average space weather might be ‘‘milder’’ with decreased solar activity, but the extreme events that dominate technological effects are not expected to disappear.

So as you point out, even during a weak solar cycle, an Earth directed major eruption can occur.