TRY-FEST FOR GOREY U17s

Gorey’s U17s welcomed Tullow to Clonattin on Saturday for the return leg of their South East League fixture.

In dry conditions Gorey started off strongly and demonstrated some great handling as their Centres Mark Boyle and Seán Wafer linked up and passed the ball out to Captain Toby Falconer, who made good ground eventually releasing the ball to Second Row Martin O’Loughlin who drove hard for the line, despite the attention of several Tullow players to get over for a try after just two minutes of play.

Gorey  5     Tullow  0

Gorey continued to pile on the pressure and seemed to be over the line again minutes later, but Darragh Canavan was held-up on the line. 

Tullow fought back and their large pack came off the better from a scrum and fought their way toward the Gorey line and were rewarded with a try to draw things level after 9 minutes.

Gorey  5     Tullow  5

The large crowd of supporters were relishing this open and fast-paced game, as Gorey continued to their open style of play, with the backs interlinking beautifully and progressing time and again into the Tullow 22. It was here on the 13^th minute that Tullow were penalised for hands in the ruck, which Gorey sensibly kicked for touch. From the resultant lineout Gorey rolled a well-controlled maul and drove over the line for Martin O’Loughlin to score Gorey’s and his second try of the game.

Gorey  10     Tullow  5

Tullow were giving no quarter and fought hard for every ball. A high tackle form Gorey gave Tullow an opportunity to kick for the posts, which they did successfully to close the score line.

Gorey  10     Tullow  8

This was a game were you couldn’t take your eyes off the pitch for a moment, lest you missed a score and only minutes after Tullow’s successful kick at goal, Seán Wafer chased up long kick, gathered the ball and headed for the tryline, only to be adjudged held-up.

From the subsequent scrum Gorey ran a great move, which appeared to come directly from the training ground, as the ball was passed out along the line, arriving back in the reliable hand of Seán Wafer, who this time avoided several attempted tackles and sped towards the line and placed the ball directly under the posts, for Henry Kennedy to convert.

Gorey  17     Tullow  8

Tullow’s woes were compounded directly from the kick-off, which was gathered by Mark Boyle and beautifully laid-off to Seán Wafer, who was now on fire and ran through the centre of the pitch from his own half to score another great try on the stroke of half time.

Gorey  24     Tullow  8  -  HALF TIME

Although Gorey had the wind at their backs for the second half, it was Tullow who started the stronger. Making several great runs into the Gorey 22, only to be met by a stout defence, which stopped them in their tracks each time.

Five minutes later, Gorey began spreading the ball out wide and Winger Paddy O’Hagan was showing his strength and speed by making several great runs and breaking a number of Tullow tackles.

But it was the Centres, Boyle and Wafer who once again linked up for Wafer to get across the line once again.

Gorey  29     Tullow  8

Gorey’s confidence was up now and they seemed to relax and little and enjoy interlinking multiple passes, with James Lawor, Seán Wafer Mark Boyle and Robert Murphy (who was having a great game) passing the ball between themselves with an assuredness that worth have been worthy of any professional team. The ball eventually landing back in Mark Boyle’s hands for his try.

Gorey 36     Tullow  8

Minutes later the Boyle – Wafer double-act teamed up again for another try right under the posts.

Gorey  43     Tullow  8

It was now time for the forwards to demonstrate their linking-up skills James Lawlor gathered the ball from a lineout and made a nice pass to Martin O’Loughlin, who still had plenty to do to make it over the Tullow tryline.

Gorey  48    Tullow  8

And again the forwards showed their tenacity and skill, as this time Robert Murphy broke off a scrum and made good ground before offloading to James Lawlor, who never looked like being stopped as he scored Gorey’s final try on the stroke of Full Time.

Gorey  55     Tullow  8 – FULL TIME

Although this well-drilled Gorey side dominated the scoreline today, credit must be given to a good Tullow side, who never gave up and made life difficult for Gorey throughout the match.

GOREY TEAM

1. Cian Sullivan

2. Toby Falconer (Capt)

3. Jack Ryan

4. Joe Butler

5. Martin O’Loughlin

6. Frank Kavanagh

7. Darragh Canavan

8. Robert Murphy

9. Donagh McGivern

10. Henry Kennedy

11. Adam Byrne

12. Mark Boyle

13. Seán Wafer

14. Patrick O’Hagan

15. Ryan Kinsella

Subs.

16. Ben Bailey

17. Niall Kenny

18. Kyle Donnelly

19. James Lawlor

20. Alex Rothwell

21. Cillian Tomkins

22. Cathal Stokes