Gorey RFC Under 14's take win in Leinster League 

Gorey RFC Under 14’s continued their Leinster Premier League Campaign away to Carlow on Saturday afternoon last.
From the start Gorey showed that they were really fired up for this encounter having taken victory over this strong Carlow team twice previously this season. A period of intense early Gorey pressure brought them inside the Carlow 22 with the Gorey forwards working through
phase after phase of hotly contested ball carrying against a very big and skilful Carlow pack. A pick and go by Lloyd Stephens with Number 8 Shane Stokes in close
support set up a ruck on the Carlow 5 metre line with a rattled Carlow defence giving up a penalty coming in from the side of the Gorey ruck on this occasion.

With 10 minutes on the clock fullback Killian Pierce slotted the penalty to register Gorey’s first points of the afternoon. From the restart taken cleanly by second row
Cameron Reynolds Gorey settled back into a steady period of patient forward attack play. Stand out number 8 Shane Stokes carried superbly hitting the Carlow 10 channel at pace and setting off on an explosive run to the Carlow posts. A last ditch Carlow tackle halted Stokes but his superb offload to scrum half Charlie McGuckin in close support saw Gorey register a deserved first try just on the quarter hour. Killian Pierce added the points to leave Gorey in control of the tie. 10-0 to Gorey and you felt this Gorey team were just stepping up the gears. From the restart, Gorey loosehead Tom Cleary who was superb throughout, set up the next Gorey attack winning a penalty after some fierce defensive rucking from Carlow. Off the back of a powerful Gorey scrum, second row P.J. Barnes carried to open up the Carlow line and score under the posts with the sure boot of Killian Pierce again added the points. Gorey were now in control finally released their backline after some fine forward play by Liam Molloy, Dylan Slator, Shane Stokes and Karl Clarke presented clean ball to scrum half Charlie McGuckin.

Fionn O ‘Loughlin at 10 presented excellent ball for centre Mikey Duke who carried well, releasing Joseph Naughton who crossed to register Gorey’s fourth try of the afternoon out wide on the right. 22-0 to Gorey with 4 minutes to half time. The scoreline flattered Gorey and this well drilled Carlow team were determined to register some return for their first half efforts. The were rewarded at the last play of the half turning over Gorey possession on half way and rucking well up to the Gorey 10 meter line. Having been held up twice by a well drilled and determined Gorey defence, Carlow crossed to register 5 points to close out the half.

Carlow re-started and Gorey surged forward once more with forward play of the highest calibre. Hooker Aaron Donnelly, and second row Tom Higgins
replaced Shane Stokes and Liam Molloy who were sidelined as a precaution with minor knocks. They slotted in well and were very much involved when P.J Barnes rucked over to steal possession in the loose inside the Carlow 22. The impressive Charlie McGuckin took the offload and crossed for an excellent try on 40 minutes, Pierce added the points. Centre Jack Cullen and winger Conor O’Toole entered the fray soon after with Naughton and the impressive Alan Kelly making way in the backline. The game was all but over as contest seven minutes later when loosehead Tom Cleary crossed to score after a fierce Gorey scrum drove over the Carlow tryline. A lapse of concentration from Gorey let Carlow in for a second try against the run of play.

Gorey just upped their game again, registering late tries from Owen Molloy off excellent ball carrying from Lloyd Stephens. The Gorey backline finished off proceedings in style with a try of the highest quality. From a ruck on half way scrumhalf Charlie McGuckin released his backline who hit the line at high tempo and showed superb handling delivering the ball our wide for winger Sean Bardan to score in the corner. It capped an excellent afternoon for Gorey and was rewarded with warm applause from the large crowd in attendance. Gorey number 10 Fionn O’ Loughlin was in superb form all afternoon and deserves special mention for his outstanding backline display. Our entire squad played their part on the day well done to all the lads.

Carlow RFC 10 – 46 Gorey RFC

Many thanks to Carlow RFC and officials and to all our travelling supporters.

A special thanks to the Carlow clubhouse team for the refreshments enjoyed by all after the match.

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, 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.