Tuesday March 06 2012

UNDER 15s ADVANCE TO LEINSTER CUP QUARTER FINALS

In perfect rugby-playing conditions, the Gorey Under-15s played well to record an emphatic victory over Portlaoise in the Leinster Cup. This puts Gorey into the quarter-finals of the competition to be played in a few weeks' time.

On a super morning in Gorey and with a steady breeze blowing down the pitch, Gorey decided to play with the wind in the first-half. Gorey started well and were on the scoresheet early on with a wellworked try off a scrum against the head, with Paul Boyle touching down in the corner.

Gorey continued to tackle well and support each other, and tries from Sam Kennedy, Achille Kincella and Paul Boyle again saw Gorey go into half-time with a commanding lead.

Portlaoise to their credit never gave up and tried hard in the second-half but, try as they might, they were put under more pressure when Gorey played phase after phase to score a fine try by John Roche after the break. Gorey put on all their substitutes at this time and continued to play to a pattern, and they were rewarded by another try by Joe Gardiner to finish the scoring.

It was a fine team performance with discipline, tackling and support all in evidence.

This will all be needed and more next weekend when the team takes on their old friends and rivals, Kilkenny, in the Leinster League semi-final on Saturday.

The squad included Darragh Bellanova, Jack Byrne, Dan Keogh, Ross Doyle, Declan Wilde, Stanley Hadden, Paul Boyle, Jack O'hagen, Conor Butler, Kevin Harrington, Joe Gardiner, John Roche, Nicholas Kearnes, Sam Kennedy, Ian Maguire. Subs. - David Burke, Lee Farrell-mccabe, Eoin Corcoran, Cathal Murphy, Achille Kinsella.