Carlow 8 v Gorey 8

Gorey travelled to Carlow on Sunday last for the most important match in their league campain to date.  Still unbeaten in this league Gorey were taking on a Carlow side that had vastly improved heading into the later part of the League. Gorey had cause to feel aggrieved heading into this game as last weekend, Carlow closed the gap to two points with a bonus point win over Roscrea. Clane failed to field against Gorey by contrast and Leinster regulations allow for only the four points in a walkover. That makes a huge difference in this decider. Had Gorey got the five points, Carlow would need to win by eight points or more to overtake them, as the head to head would favour the Wexford side. The whole scenario highlights a problem that can’t be ignored by anyone and leaving aside any decision to be made regarding Clane not fielding a team the pervious week, the destination of the League title rested on this game.

The main pitch in Carlow was unplayable because of a rising spring appearing on it after all the rain and this match had to be played on a secondary pitch after the J2 match, hardly a fitting playing surface for a League title decider.  However the playing surface was quite good and the game was a go ahead. Gorey were playing with a very large and loyal travelling support on the side-line, which once more is a credit to the club and they did their job by making themselves very vocal. This match had all the ingredients for a cracking game and it did not disappoint. From the start it was obvious that both sides were going to give their all. Hard crunching tackles and tough physically breakdowns were the order of the day and both sides were on for playing open rugby. Gorey were first on the score sheet when just after kick-off got a penalty, which James Nolan put over to settle the nerves for Gorey. From the restart the game became a real battle for pocession. Gorey's scrums and line outs were functioning well. Carlow got a bit of momentum midway though the half and got a penalty themselves which brought the scores to 3 pts each but it was late in this half that Carlow inflicted a killer blow when they ran in a try and the halftime whistle went with Carlow leading 8pts to 3pts.

The second half commenced with Gorey having to weather a big push by Carlow which they defended well.  Each side were making mistakes and handing their opponents the posession  and the game was been played in every part of the pitch. At this stage the game turned into a nail biter with both sides putting their bodies on the line and it was nerve  wrecking to watch. Gorey were next to score when Nevile Copeland ran into the corner to bring the match to all square and apart from a tense last few minutes the match ended this way to a cheer from the large support who were kept on their toes for the whole game. This will be the first time in Gorey's history that they will play Division 1 Rugby and it still leaves this team unbeaten in the League. Gorey's next game will be at home next Sunday K.O. 3pm against Tullow in the Plate .