Leinster Under 14 Youths Championships

Gorey RFC Vs Kilkenny RFC

Tuesday, 13th March 2012

The opening match of the Junior Championships got off to an impressive start for the home side. The calm and dry weather conditions on the night were conducive to a great game of rugby and under floodlit conditions the Gorey U14 Men’s team took to the field and lined out against Kilkenny RFC on Clonattin Road, Gorey, Co Wexford.

In the opening few minutes both teams tested the defence and fielding ability of their opponents with plenty of probing runs and high balls to contend with. Seamus Tomkins, No9, retrieved the ball from ruck after ruck and his accurate passing to James Stone saw our back line drive forward time and time again. Unfortunately, a split second lapse in concentration somewhere inside their own twenty-two cost the home side dearly and Kilkenny found a gap and were over for the opening score. A cleanly slotted conversion left the visitors seven points to nil up.

Both sets of players dished out crunching tackles but neither defence budged. For all their discipline and creative play Gorey, had nothing to show on the scoreboard. Something had to be done, something had to give. The referee signalled a penalty to Gorey on their opponents twenty two. The decision was made by the captain to run the ball. Cometh the hour cometh the man. The ultra reliable Mark Hoare took on the task and when his momentum and adrenaline kicked in there was simply no stopping him. A force to be reckoned with, finding a hole where there was none, he powered through the Kilkenny defence, found the try line and grounded the ball. The local crowd rejoiced, the visitors, stunned. As cool as you like, Gorey’s No 10, Captain Cian Hadden stepped up and took the extra two points, to level the game.

Spurred on by this success, Gorey began to get creative. Great hands from Barry Doyle, Gary Walsh and Jack Willoughby made for exciting passages of play but even they could make little progress as every inch of turf was contested. The key and decisive tackles continued. Battered and bruised, Gorey stood brave to a man. This was a strong, solid, skilful performance by both teams. Backs and forwards worked for each other in harmony.
Several nail biting minutes passed but after two consecutive missed tackles, Kilkenny were at the five meter line and, taking advantage of their luck they pressed on. The Gorey men scrambled desperately to stem the flow, most notably Ben D’Arcy and Daragh Keogh who threw themselves selflessly into the defence but their position was overrun and Kilkenny made them pay. The conversion that followed doubled their score and again Gorey found themselves behind.

Over on the side line, the replacements warmed up, eager for their chance. The management team of Brian Willoughby, James Tomkins and Colin Hadden colourfully discussed their tactical options. Plans were hatched and dashed. Instructions were transmitted to the captain on the field. From a well rehearsed training ground drill in which all men played their part, the points eventually came. Young Seamus Tomkins, No9, waited patiently for the signal to unleash his now famously accurate ball. The ever vigilant James Stone fed it on out through the back line. “Intensity” and “physicality, the hallmarks of Luke Willoughby, Dale Rothwell and Reece Hughes, came to the fore just when they were needed most. Growing in confidence from his first score, it was Mark Hoare, who once again answered the call. Try as they might Kilkenny had simply no answer to him and he went over the line for his second try of the game and his tenth of the season. Esprit de corps was high. As the first half ended, the visitors held the lead, but only just, at fourteen points to twelve.

The second half opened up with an impressive display, repeatedly repelling attacks, getting bodies under ball-carriers and then turning over the scrum.

In attack, David Bailey and Michael Wafer were ruthless and precise. Although Kilkenny took control for long periods in the second half, they failed to add to their narrow two point lead. A decisive blow came for Gorey after a period of first-phase possession and it was Jack Cushe who turned the tide in favour of the home team. From the ruck, the ball was passed out by Seamus Tomkins to Darragh Keogh. Cushe, devastating at high speed, surged through the Kilkenny defence, finally touching down between the posts for an outstanding try. Cian Hadden stretched the lead further when he sent the conversion through the uprights from 30 meters out. Possession ebbed and flowed with both teams coming close to scoring much to the delight of all fans on the sideline.

And then in the dying seconds of the game, Kilkenny, still sharp, launched a counter attack. Only for the valiant efforts of Jack Willoughby the game could have ended in disaster for Gorey. Jack stood his ground as Kilkenny advanced and, bloodied but not broken, he save the day. As he lay in the mud, the final whistle sounded and he knew he had done enough. On the night, fortune favoured the brave. Gorey took the honours and were delighted with their victory. Nineteen points to fourteen.

The team would like to thank their management Brian Willoughby, James Tomkins and Colin Hadden, the parents who supported them and especially their sponsors, Stafford’s Bakery of Clonattin, Gorey.

GOREY TEAM: -

Barry Doyle

Ben D'Arcy

Cian Hadden (c)

Dale Rothwell

Darragh Keogh

David Bailey

Gary Walsh

Jack Cushe

James Stone

Jack Willoughby

Luke Willoughby

Mark Hoare

Michael Wafer

Reece Hughes

Seamus Tomkins

Ciaran Murphy