Saturday 19^th November 2016

GOREY U17s TOP THE TABLE

Gorey U17s welcomed local rivals Wicklow to Clonattin for this eagerly awaited top of the table final game in Phase One on the Leinster League Premier A division.

Wicklow travelled to Gorey unbeaten in the league so far, with Gorey conceding just one game to Naas in a two-point loss the previous week. It was all to play for in this crunch game, as whoever came out victorious would top the table in Phase One of this very competitive league.

Weather conditions were perfect as Wicklow kicked-off and immediately showed why they were unbeaten, as they immediately put Gorey under pressure, forcing the home team to defend desperately on their own line for the opening five minutes.

Almost inevitably on the 6-minute mark Wicklow got over to open the scoring. This was expertly converted to leave the score; Gorey 0  -  Wicklow 7.

However, Gorey dusted themselves off and got right down to business from the kick-off, pushing Wicklow back into their own 22. The ball was fed out to Gorey Winger, Flynn Donnelly who showed lightning speed to make a great run before offloading to Fullback Henry Kennedy, who in turn found advancing Centre Seán Wafer who opened Gorey’s account with 12 minutes gone.  Gorey 7  -  Wicklow 7.

The large group of spectators realised that they were in for a treat from two very polished and well-drilled sides.

But it was Gorey who continued to have the upper hand and they kicked for touch for a lineout that was expertly taken by them. The resultant rolling maul marched Wicklow back toward their own tryline before Flanker Robert Murphy, who was having a great game, broke off to score Gorey’s second try just minutes after their first.  Gorey 12  -  Wicklow 7

Centre Mark Boyle made some storming runs through Wicklow’s defensive line and when the ball was released to Flynn Donnelly on the wing, the crowd were sure Gorey were in again, but a last-minute tackle put him into touch just metres from the Wicklow tryline.

Wicklow’s outhalf spread the ball well, but Gorey’s tackling was relentless, with Gorey’s Mark Kehoe and Ryan Kinsella in particular making some crunching tackles. Wicklow were penalised for holding on after a great ruck by Boyle. Henry Kennedy opted to kick for the posts and succeeded in extending Gorey’s lead to 15 – 7.

As the clock ticked towards half time, Wicklow were awarded a penalty of their own for Crossing and they kicked for the corner. The lineout throw went over the top and dropped into the hands of their bid No.8, who nobody had picked up and he easily strolled over the line without the attention of any tacklers.

Having converted the try, Wicklow were fortunate to be going into the break just one point behind at 15 – 14, after such a dominant display by Gorey.

The second half kicked off with both teams knowing that the next score would be vital. But it was Gorey again who started the stronger – forcing Wicklow to defend.

After just six minutes of the second half, Centre Mark Boyle chipped a ball through Wicklow’s defence, which looked to have been overkicked, but Boyle was well aware of his winger Donnelly’s turn of speed and he sped past several defenders just in time to get a foot to the ball and kick it again over the line, where he followed up and pounced for a well-deserved try.  Gorey 20 – Wicklow 14

Gorey’s centre pairing of Wafer and Boyle were linking up beautifully and when Boyle spotted a gap he drew several defenders with a dummy, before passing to Wafer who ran under the posts for his second try of the game. Gorey 27 – Wicklow 14

As the game moved towards a close, Wicklow struggled to get out of their half. Another lineout for Gorey saw a short ball delivered to Second Rower Tadhg O’Neill who dummied to make a run for line before offloading to Dylan Sawyer. Mark Boyle powered up behind him like a steam train and burst over the line for the final try of the game to leave the final score Gorey 32  -  Wicklow  14

Wicklow showed some great class in this game, particularly from their outhalf and they had a tremendously strong scrum. But Gorey were just too strong for them on the day and deservedly take top spot on Phase One of this Premier League.

No doubt these two teams will meet again before the season is finished and you just know that each time they do will be an electrifying spectacle.

GOREY

Kyle Donnelly

Toby Falconer

Niall Kenny

Joe Butler

Tadhg O’Neill

Frank Kavanagh

Dylan Sawyer

Robert Murphy

Cillian Tomkins

Mark Kehoe

Ryan Kinsella

Mark Boyle

Seán Wafer

Flynn Donnelly

Henry Kenendy

Subs.

Cian Sullivan

Darragh Canavan

Jack Ryan

Donough McGivern

Adam Byrne

Paddy O’Hagan

Cian Kenny