DUKIE DOES IT AGAIN

Gorey continued their good start to the season when they welcomed the 2018 All Ireland Cup and Leinster League winners Ashbourne to Clonattin on Saturday.On a murky day Gorey just about scraped home with a James Nolan penalty edging the home team in front to the sound of the final whistle and loud cheers from the home support.

It was a close game all through but it was Gorey who opened the scoring when Ethan Badham touched down after some good play by the pack.

Ten minutes later, Ashbourne drew level with a try, both conversion attempts were missed.

Within minutes Steven Duke restored Gorey’s lead when he split the Ashbourne defence to go in under the posts. Steven Horan added the conversion.

Ashbourne not to be outdone responded well and drew level after Gorey were reduced to 14 men. A kick to the corner saw them maul over for a good try. Crotty added the conversion.

12 - 12 was how it was at halftime.

The opening minutes of the second half saw Gorey up their game and Steven Horan restored the lead for the home team.

But Ashbourne were not going away and to be fair Gorey made it easy for them with a number of needless penalties proving costly. Over the next eight minutes, two Crotty penalties put Ashbourne in the lead for the first time. A further yellow card saw Gorey again reduced to 14 and Ashbourne now had their tails up and were applying serious pressure on the home line. In a concerted attack, Ashbourne moved the ball through the hands, but the ever alert Steven Duke stepped up for the intercept and from inside his own 22 ran the length of the pitch to go in under the posts. James Nolan added the conversion.

The game was in one of those moments and Ashbourne’s response was again swift.

A number of missed tackles proved costly for Gorey and Ashbourne’s outstanding number 6 Simon Deevy weaved his way through some would-be tacklers to score a fine individual try. Crotty added the conversion to leave the score at 22 - 25 to Ashbourne.

With 10 minutes left on the clock Gorey somehow turned the game on its head as they held their composure to force two crucial penalties deep in Ashbourne’s territory. The first penalty drew them level.

Back Gorey came again with both backs and forwards carrying well as they worked their way into the 22. Another penalty saw James Nolan’s final kick of the game restore their lead to 28 - 25.

Gorey will count themselves lucky to secure this vital win and know they will need much more discipline as they head to Dublin to take on league leaders Bective Rangers next Saturday at Donnybrook. Kick-off is at 3pm

Jordan Ahern, Steven Gardiner and Eoin Walshe were the pick of the forwards with Steven Duke, Robert Harrington and man of the match Steven Horan showing well in the backs.

GOREY TEAM

K Browne

E Batham

D Bellanova

S Gardiner (Capt.)

T Jamison

K Breen

E Horan

J Ahern

S Horan

S Duke

J Naughton

J Nolan

J Rothwell

C Power

R Harrington

E Walsh

S Hadden

L Molloy