Gorey RFC U14's Leinster Victory over Portlaoise 

Gorey RFC Under 14’s welcomed Portlaoise to Clonattin on Saturday morning last for their latest Leinster League table top encounter. This was a huge game for both teams and from the off the Gorey forwards showed they were fired up for this one with some fierce early phase play taking them deep into the Portlaoise 22. An early pick and go from Gorey number 8, Lloyd Stephens drove over the Portlaoise gain line with close support from forwards Dylan Slator and P.J. Barnes securing clean ruck ball for scrum half Charlie McGuckin to set up the next phase.

Hitting the line at pace flanker Shane Stokes split the Portlaoise centres and drove deep into the opposition 22 with his supporting pack rucking over at the breakdown to keep the pressure on the visitors defence. Third phase ball released the Gorey backline with out half Eoin Buckley, centres Mikey Duke and Sean Bardan and winger Jack Minogue making ground and handling cleanly to force the attack out wide. Patient phase play by Gorey was met with strong defence by a well drilled Portlaoise pack who weathered the early storm eventually forcing Gorey into touch on the 10 mere line after 2 further phases of open play. Excellent lineout work by Lloyd Stephens won back possession with the Gorey pack driving forward from the ensuing maul. Lloyd Stephens peeled off the back and drove for the Portlaoise tryline, crashing over the first try of the game after 20 minutes of highly entertaining open rugby. With just five minutes of the half remaining Cameron Reynolds cleanly gathered from the restart and carried strongly back into the visitors 22 with Dylan Slator, Liam Molloy and captain on the day Eoin Molloy in close support applying the pressure at the breakdown to win a Gorey scrum. Excellent Gorey backline play probed any gaps in the Portlaoise defence who on this occasion stood firm, kicking from inside their own 10 metre line on this occasion to relieve the Gorey pressure.

Gorey went in at half time with a 5 – 0 lead and the game wide open but you could sense that Gorey had
more in the tank facing into the second period. A tactical switch at half time saw Sean Bardan switch to the left wing and Joseph Naughton come in at outside centre. From the Gorey restart Portlaoise carried over half way and went through three phases of excellent forward play. The Portlaoise centres and pack kept the home team on their toes for long periods with excellent tactical kicking
from the visitors number 10 keeping Gorey fullback Killian Pierce busy in the opening exchanges. 50-50 decisions at the breakdown went the visitors way and Portlaoise had their best spell of the half playing excellent attacking rugby, spreading the play across the entire line probing the Gorey defence in every position as they drove past the Gorey 10 metre line in front of the posts. Gorey rucked fiercly to win back possession and clear their lines from the boot of Killian Pierce who found the left touchline just inside his 22. Lloyd Stephens rose high to win the ensuing lineout and set up the Gorey counter attack. Strong ball carrying by P.J. Barnes and Eoin Molloy and winger Alan Kelly drove Gorey forward into the Portlaoise half with superb support play from Tom Cleary, Liam Molly and Cameron Stephens securing phase after phase as Gorey powered forward. Scrum half Charlie McGuckin hit runner Shane Stokes off the fourth phase with Stokes breaking the Portlaoise line inside the opposition number 7 to bring play all the way to the 5 metre line. Frantic defensive rucking by the Portlaoise pack only delayed the inevitable
with Dylan Slator crashing over under the posts to complete a superb team effort with the try of the afternoon. Killian Pierce added the points
giving Gorey a 12-0 advantage going into the last quarter.

Portlaoise were not finished yet and from the restart forced play back inside the Gorey 22. The Portlaoise centres again carried well and were awarded a scrum on the Gorey 10 metre line in front of the posts. A Portlaoise score looked certain when their impressive number 8 drove for the tryline at speed. He was met with a huge tackle from Gorey out half Eoin Buckley who stopped him dead in his tracks driving the Portlaoise player back 2 metres with the ferocity of the defensive hit and turning over ball for Gorey to clear their lines. With both players shaken by the impact Buckley was rested as a precaution with Fionn O’Loughlin taking over out half duties.
O’Loughlin grabbed his opportunity within minutes as Portlaoise kicked through the Gorey cover. O Loughlin gathered and set off on a fantastic run stepping past 4 Portlaoise defenders and making all of 40 metres in the process. Gorey rucked well at the breakdown with P.J. Barnes emerging with the ball and breaking the Portlaoise cover to finish a superb high tempo passage of play with Gorey’s third try.

Gorey replacements, forwards Jack Cullen, Tom Higgins, Aaron Donnelly and backs Jack O’Mahony and Conor O’Toole entered the action for the last 8 minutes showing well and highlighting the strength of this squad with excellent displays by all to close out
the match.


Final Score Gorey RFC 17 – 0 Portlaoise RFC

Well done to the entire Gorey squad on a magnificent display with special mention to Lloyd Stephens at 8 and Eoin Buckley at 10 who were outstanding throughout.

Many thanks to Portlaoise RFC, match officials and to all our supporters on the day.

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

Gorey Squad; Eoin Molloy, Dylan Slator, Liam Molloy, Lloyd Stephens, Cameron Reynolds, Tom Cleary, Carl Clarke, Tom Higgins, Jack Minogue, Shane Stokes, Killian Pierce, Joseph Naughton, Sean Bardon, Andy Kinsella, P.J. Barnes, Fionn O’ Loughlin, 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.