After the Christmas recess Gorey resumed their Leinster league campaign with an away trip to Dundalk. The hosts were having a good run of late and are just above Gorey in the league. In ideal conditions for rugby, the visitors were first out of the blocks, and within minutes registered the opening score with a James Nolan penalty. Gorey continued to shade the early exchanges as Dundalk seemed to suffer from the long lay off.

Slowly the home team worked their way into the game and good work from the pack saw them move the ball with pace. But Gorey were coming up fast and, the ever alert Stephen Duke, turned a Dundalk attack into an opening try for Gorey when he intercepted a Dundalk move to score under the posts, James Nolan converted. The Gorey pack were not found wanting either, as Mark Whelan and co snuffed out a number of Dundalk attacks, but the home team did manage to open their score with a penalty. Dundalk were growing in confidence but within minutes that man Duke was to cause consternation again when he intercepted for the second time to again go in under the posts, James Nolan converted.17 - 0 was hardly a fair reflection on the proceedings but such is sport. Dundalk did manage to end the half well and persistent pressure saw them finally cross for a try which they converted to reduce the lead to 17 - 10.

The second half saw the visitors growing in confidence, as their pack began to edge the proceedings, with Alex Bond and Darragh O Leary in particular making big carries. But discipline and accuracy was to cost them at crucial times when the line looked to be in sight. They spurned a number of chances but persistence finally paid off when Stephen Horan worked his way over for their third try, James Nolan converted. Gorey continued to pile on the pressure and a tremendous Gary Rynhart break saw him just stopped short of the line as Gorey went in search of the bonus point. With two minutes left on the clock Dundalk worked their way into the visitors half, after a number of unnecessary penalties by Gorey, conceded territory that was hard won. They finally got over under the posts after good ball retention which earned them a valuable bonus point.

Gorey had some outstanding performances in the backs with Stephen Duke, Gary Rynhart and Stephen Horan the pick of the backs. The whole pack performed to a man with Darragh O Leary and man of the match Mark Whelan in outstanding form. Next saturday sees Gorey host Kilkenny in a crucial league fixture for both clubs, kick off is at 2.30 in Clonattin.

Team - 1. R Deering 2. B O Connor 3. D Bellanova 4. D O'Leary 5. A Bond 6. M Whelan 7. E Walsh 8. J P Redmond 9. S Horan 10. S Dukes 11. A Walsh 12. J Nolan 13. G Rynhart 14.N Copeland 15. D Shannon 16. W Rothwell 17. S Triggs 18. S Hadden 19. H Gaiser 20. P De Barra