Sunday 15th Feb saw Gorey J2's make the long journey to Birr for their first round match in the 2015 Provincial Towns Cup. Gorey knew that this could not be much tougher as this is Birr's first team and are a team that have a good reputation in the Cup. Gorey started with the wind at their backs but it was Birr who started the brighter with good pressure on the visitors. But the first score was to go to Gorey with a turn over for Aidan O Brien to make a big clearance into the Birr 22, further pressure saw Gorey  awarded a penalty for Clinton Furney to score. Straight from the kick off Birr opened their account with a Dara Culvert penalty. The remainder of the half was all Gorey with three further Furney penalties. On the stroke of halftime Gorey upped the pressure and went through a number of phases in the Birr 22 and were awarded a try when Ciaran Hennessy got over to extend their lead to 17 - 3. It is hard to believe but this was to be the last time Gorey would score as the ref sounded his halftime whistle. 

The second half saw Birr come more into the game as Gorey lost some shape and at times discipline. As the half wore on Birr grew in confidence and it was no more than they deserved when Paddy Guinan crossed the line for Dara Culvert to convert. It was to get worse for the visitors as Birr threw everything at Gorey and stunned the visitors with a late try, Culvert was just wide with the conversion. Gorey were now in a dog fight with the match on a knife edge at 17 - 15. This set up a tense final five minutes, in a game that Gorey looked to be in control of, and really can have no one to blame but themselves. With the game in its final minute and Gorey looking in control the referee awarded a penalty on the halfway line, back chat saw him award Birr ten metres, and bring the the kick within range. Upped stepped Culvert to land a massive penalty to break the Gorey hearts on this St Valentines weekend. This score sealed a victory on a score of 18 - 17, to put them forward for the second round of the Towns Cup. 

Gorey will be disappointed but Birr showed great heart to grind out a result that looked beyond them deep into the second half. Gorey had some good performances from Colin French, James Mulligan and Killian Breen with Robert Harrington, Eoin Walsh, Clement Power and Clinton Furney the pick of the backs.

Team - T Tomkins C Owley J MulliganC Hennessy J Reynolds J Freeney K Breen C French R Harrington A O Brien S Rafferty E Walsh C Power C Furney Capt. S O'Leary

N Rothwell P Horan J Emery B Brooks J Cleary.