3rd Feb 2013 

Gorey RFC U14's 38 - 12 New Ross RFC

Gorey RFC Under 14’s travelled to New Ross on Saturday afternoon last determined to keep their recent run of form going as they face into a Leinster League semi and Leinster Cup opener in the coming weeks. New Ross kicked off into the Gorey 22 which Lloyd Stephens gathering with a strong mid day sun at his back. Carrying strongly Gorey pushed over half way, rucking well to secure possession at the breakdown. The Gorey pack saw a number of changes on the day with Tom Higgins coming in at hooker, Jack Cullen in the second row, Alan Kelly at No 6 and Eoin Molloy returning to the side at 7 all showing well in the opening exchanges. A lapse of concentration saw Gorey knock-on and taking the advantage New Ross split the Gorey cover out wide to run in a try against the run of play. With 7 points on the board the home team ignited the game and the Gorey pack. Full back Killian Pierce hung the restart high into the light breeze which was taken cleanly in hand by the New Ross 13 who ran strongly at the Gorey line. Excellent defensive line speed by the Gorey pack saw Dylan Slator ruck over cleanly at the breakdown with scrum half Charlie McGuckin flashing fast ball out to a well organised backline. Excellent link play between outhalf Eoin Buckley and flanker Eoin Molloy on this occasion saw Gorey drive deep into the New Ross 22. Drving off the back of the breakdown Cameron Reyonlds drove another 10 metres before releasing a perfect offload to winger Jack Minogue arriving at speed and crashing over Gorey’s first try of the afternoon. Gorey gathered the restart cleanly with Liam Molly crossing the gainline and presenting ball cleanly after excellent work by Jack Cullen and number 8 Lloyd Stephens at the breakdown. The Gorey pack drove 2 more phases before scrum half Charlie McGuckin released flanker Eoin Molloy who powered inside the New Ross number 10 to score under the posts.
Fullback Killian Pierce added the points to leave Gorey 14-5 to the good entering the second quarter.

From the restart Gorey drove forward and were awarded a scrum in the centre of the pitch on half way. New Ross just couldn’t handle the power of this Gorey pack and a number of scrum re-sets followed much to the frustration Gorey players and the match official. At the fourth time of asking McGuckin linked with Eoin Buckley at 10 releasing the backline of Joseph Naughton at 12 and Sean Barden handling cleanly out wide to Rory Heffernan on the left wing. Only frantic cover from the Ross fullback prevented another Gorey try. Gorey were playing some excellent rugby at this point and put two more tries on Ross before half time. The first from Eoin Molloy driving off a 5 metre scrum and the second a clinical backrow move finished by Joseph Naughton with options either side as he crashed over. The half time score of 26 – 5 reflected well a disciplined Gorey performance.

Gorey changes at half time saw Tom Cleary make way for Karl Clarke at loose head, Sean Dunne come in at hooker and Liam Molloy in the second row with Jack Cullen switch to flanker. Charlie McGuckin switch out for Eoin Buckley at scrum half, Fionn O’Loughlin come in at 10, with Mikey Duke at 12 and Joseph Naughton move to 13 in place of Sean Bardan. Gorey restarted and settled into a five minute period of fierce forward exchanges. Credit is due to the New Ross pack who scrapped for everything at the breakdown pushing their way into the Gorey 22 on occasion and bringing the best out of the Gorey defensive line. Gorey pressure drove Ross back into their 22 with superb backline work eating up the ground as Ross were run wing to wing in a patient Gorey build up. Centre Micky Duke linked cleanly with his number 8 Lloyd Stephens who crashed inside the Ross 12 scoring under the posts. Killian Pierce added the points. From the restart Ross powered forward, rucking 3 phases into the Gorey 22. Ross having bulked up their pack with no fewer than 5 replacements used the fresh legs to good effect and pounded the Gorey defence on their 5 metre line. Gorey defended brilliantly with Liam Molloy, Dylan Slator, Cameron Reynolds, Jack Cullen and Lloyd Stephens holding the line and soaking up the Ross pressure. At the fifth time of asking Ross crossed the tryline wide on the right to get 5 hard earned points on the board. Entering the latter stages of the contest Gorey resumed control and showed passages of top quality backline attack play with superb handling and line peed taking play into the Ross 22. A powerful pick and go from Cameron Reyonlds led the Gorey forwards as they powered a maul into Ross 5 metre territory. Reynolds powered over for a well deserved try bringing applause from the large crowd of supporters attending. Killian Pierce hung the conversion attempt high the ball passing just wide of the left upright on this occasion. Our match referee drew proceedings to a close soon after.

Final Score New Ross RFC 12 - 38 Gorey RFC

With big games coming up for this 14’s squad in the coming weeks, a Leinster League semi-final and Leinster Cup opener this game saw a number of players stake their claim to a starting 15 slot which is good news for the squad and the coaching team. Well done to all.


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

A special thanks to the New Ross 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.