Gorey RFC U14's 29 - 0 Wexford RFC
Leinster League Semi Final

Gorey Under 14's travelled to Enniscorthy on Sunday last to face Wexford in the Leinster League Semi-Final.
Both squads were fired up for this one and a close hard encounter was anticipated as both teams came into this fixture off the back of some fine recent form. Wexford kicked off and hit the Gorey line hard rucking fiercly and probing across the entire defensive line in the opening exchanges. Gorey looked calm and organised under pressure and soaked up phase after phase of Wexford pressure inside their 22. Bruising forward rucking saw Wexford camped in the Gorey 22 for long periods of the opening 20 minutes but they were unable to register a score such was the quality of the Gorey defence. The Gorey pack were well organised and confident and showed well at the breakdown with second rows Jack Cullen and Sean Bardon, flankers Eoin Molloy and Charlie McGuckin, front row of P.J. Barnes, Liam Molloy and Captain, Tom Cleary with Lloyd Stephens at 8 all playing with an intensity that Wexford couldn't match.

Key to this superb defensive display was the Gorey backline who defended with a maturity way beyond their age grade. Eoin Buckley at 9 played superbly inside Fionn O'Loughlin at 10 with Mikey Duke and Joseph Naughton in the centre channels, Alan Kelly and Cathal O'Reilly on the wings and Killian Pierce solid at full back. The commitment of this backline in defence was impressive as was their decision making and line running when the opportunity to counter presented itself. Relieving kicks from full back Killian Pierce gave Gorey the opportunity to
pressure Wexford in the lineouts with hooker Liam Molloy delivering cleanly to the line.

With 25 minutes on the clock Gorey won a scrum just outside their 22 and set their backline deep to test the Wexford defence. Clean delivery from Eoin Buckley allowed out half Fionn O'Loughlin to launch a superb kick behind the cover for left wing Alan Kelly to chase,
hitting the Wexford full back hard and forcing a Gorey lineout just inside the Wexford half. Gorey took the lineout cleanly and ran 3 phases with P.J. Barnes, Tom Cleary and Lloyd Stephens all making ground. A powerful break by 2nd row Sean Bardon made 20 metres with support arriving quickly at the breakdown.
Flanker Eoin Molly took it on from there handing off 2 Wexford defenders before crossing for a magnificent try 10m in from the right hand touchline.

Gorey were now gaining the upper hand and took the restart cleanly, driving back into Wexford territory with Tom Cleary, secured in the ruck on this occasion
by Jack Cullen and P.J. Barnes. Eoin Buckley presented clean ball to Fionn O'Loughlin at 10 who carried and planted the Wexford 7 and 10 before releasing Mikey Duke through the 12 channel to cross for Gorey's second try. Cathal O'Reilly added the points superbly from an acute angle to send Gorey in at the break 12 points to the good.

The intensity of the Gorey play continued into early second half exchanges with the backline attack in particular coming more into the game. After 10 minutes of strongly contested open play from both teams Gorey were awarded a scrum on half way after Wexford infringed in the ruck. A powerful Gorey scrum had Wexford on the back foot from the put-in. Scrum half Eoin Buckley supplied excellent ball to his backline who handled cleanly and carried with pace and depth across the line before releasing winger Cathal O'Reilly into space for a clean run to the posts and Goreys 3rd try of the afternoon. Killian Pierce added the points with 42 minutes on the clock.

Pierce added a penalty five minutes later after some superb pressure from forwards Liam Molloy, Charlie McGuckin and Tom Cleary had Wexford in all kinds of trouble on their 22. Gorey were now in a commanding 22-0 lead as the clock ran down.

Gorey replacement wingers Jack Minogue and Conor O'Toole, out half Jack O'Mahony, hooker Aaron Donnelly, loose head Carl Clarke and 2nd row Tom Higgins introduced fresh legs and high intensity to proceedings.
Hard tackling and running on both wings and strength in the ruck and scrum being maintained over the last quarter by excellent displays from the entire Gorey bench.
Wexford to their credit kept their heads up and showed great character as they came in search of a consolation but Gorey having weathered the early storm were in no mood to concede neither territory or points. Having secured possession inside the Wexford half the Gorey forwards took possession deep into Wexford's 22 winning a scrum as they powered over the opposition cover.
Gorey number 8 Lloyd Stephens picked from the back and drove at the Wexford defence before releasing Eoin Molloy who crossed for the try of the game.
Killian Pierce who kicked superbly all afternoon added the points to close out a highly impressive Gorey squad performance. 

Final Score Gorey RFC 29 - 0 Wexford RFC

Congratulations to each and every member of the Gorey RFC Under 14 squad on their magnificent display and qualification for the Leinster League Final.

The entire squad and coaches would also like to thank Club President John Breen and Hon. Sec., David French for
their attendance and post match words of encouragement to the players as they prepare for the final.

Many thanks to Wexford RFC, match officials and to all our supporters on the day.

Gorey Squad; Andy Kinsella, P.J. Barnes, Eoin Molloy, Dylan Slator, Liam Molloy, Lloyd Stephens, Cameron Reynolds, Tom Cleary, Carl Clarke, Tom Higgins, Shane Stokes, Killian Pierce, Joseph Naughton, Jack Minogue,
Fionn O' Loughlin, Sean Bardon, Michael Duke, Eoin Buckley, Jack Cullen, Sean Dunne, Aaron Donnelly, Charlie McGuckin, Conor O'Toole, Jack O' Mahony, Cathal O'Reilly, Rory Heffernan, Daragh Brooks, Alan Kelly. Ross Coady.