GOREY J1s COME UP SHORT

Gorey were away to Kilkenny on Saturday last and after a hard fought game came home empty handed after a game that provided end-to-end rugby from the start.

It was the home team who set out their stall early and it was not long until they crossed for the opening score when from a scrum that Gorey looked to have edged the resulting play saw Simon O’Shea go over for a try. Joe Manuel added the conversion.

The Gorey response was quick and within minutes Stephen Horan darted over after good play from the pack.

Kilkenny’s Joe Manuel added a penalty when Gorey were penalised in front of their posts.

With 10 minutes left in the half Kilkenny added a further try when Podge Mahon crossed. Joe Manuel added the extras to take Kilkenny out to 17 - 5. That was the way it stayed until halftime.

After the break Gorey came out with all guns blazing and phase after phase saw them lay siege to the home 22.

But the Kilkenny defence was not for yielding as they stood up for almost 20 minutes of non-stop pressure with Steven Horan eventually getting over in the corner to leave the score at 17 - 10.

Gorey were back in the game but Kilkenny lifted their game again and a brilliant individual try from Jason Connolly saw them extend their lead to 22 - 10, quickly followed by a Joe Manuel penalty.

This was a sucker punch for Gorey as they had worked so hard to get back into the game.

Gorey did manage to reduce the lead again when after some good work Darragh Bellanova crossed under the posts. Stephen Duke added the conversion.

But it was as near as Gorey were to get as Kilkenny added the bonus point in the final play when a slick move off a lineout saw Podge Mahon race in for a try and the bonus point.

Gorey can have no complaints as on the day Kilkenny more than deserved their win.

Gorey now turn their attention to the Towns Cup as they welcome Portlaoise to Clonattin next Sunday kick off is at 2.30.

GOREY

D Bellanova E Badham K Browne S Gardiner Capt E Horan K Breen B Mason D O’Leary S Horan M Duke R Harrington J Nolan J Rothwell A Walsh S Duke T Jameson E Walsh J Naughton L Stephens B O’Connor