16th Feb 2013

Darcy Cup U19 First Round 
 
Athy 3  Gorey 15
 
Revenge, they say, is best served cold. But this Gorey team produced a performance of passion, intensity, awareness and not a little skill to reverse last week's Leinster semi-final result and advance in the Darcy Cup. Although the scoreline suggests a comfortable win, this game was in the balance until an injury time dose of Stephen Duke magic guaranteed the tie.   

On a heavy pitch with a moderate slightly favouring cross breeze, Gorey wasted no time in attaining field position early on. But Athy pressure on the initial Gorey scrums prevented clean possession and Athy lifted the siege. The Athy line-out was uncomfortable all day and the first overthrown ball was quickly pounced upon by Josh White who broke the gainline. Rapid re-cycling produced movement to the left wing, but Jack Cleary was closed down by the Athy drift defence, as he was so often last week. But Gorey were not leaving this time without a score. And Josh White it was again who delivered, with an openside pick and go off the back of a scrum close in to barge over for a unconverted try after 12 minutes.

Gorey might have smelt blood at this stage so complete was their territorial and physical dominance. But this Gorey team has a habit of losing concentration and intensity when cruising. And so, during a second quarter in which Gorey sorted their scrum and made huge line-out in-roads, the concession of five penalties in twelve minutes served to keep Athy well in the game. But they re-asserted themselves late in the half allowing Conor Hatton to extend the half time lead to eight points with an excellent penalty kick.
   

Gorey now had to face up the hill and somewhat into the breeze for the second half. Robert Harrington set the tone for the second half with a tackle on the Athy receiver causing a knock-on and a Gorey scrum. Defence of this lead was going to take a huge physical effort and the Gorey pack duly obliged. Attention to the ball carrier was excellent with season's best performances from James Mulligan and David Condren. Richard Deering, who had an ice-pack strapped to his knee since Tuesday night was everywhere as was Fergal Bolger marshalling his backrow. Gorey's line-out, marshaled by Harry Woods, grew in confidence with JJ Earle picking out his receivers. The line-out maul was imperious and the source of multiple penalty concessions in the third quarter. Danny Hughes even managed to steal a couple of nervous Athy throws, lofted by Harry Woods and Richard Deering [him of the knee!]. 
   

Athy kicked for territory to the right corner but Rory O Toole and Conor Hatton dealt with all that came their way. Meanwhile, Gorey's backline defence knew exactly what to do and the 10-12-13 defensive axis of Sean O Connor, Stephen Duke and Sean Byrne shot up when needed to prevent the potent Athy back three from progressing. 
   

Athy set up a grandstand finish by narrowing the lead to 8-3 with six minutes remaining and Gorey again had to dig. Robert Harrington once again tackled the kick-off receiver forcing a crucial turnover and allowing Gorey a critical foothold in the Athy half. Competition for the ball was now even fiercer as possession became critical. JJ Earle was sin-binned on full-time for persistent Gorey infringing, but still Gorey remained deep in the Athy half. Chasing five points, Athy now took risks running balls they might have booted. From once such midfield break-out, centre Stephen Duke pounced, then stooped, to intercept beautifully and race clear to score between the sticks. Only one word for that quipped his opposite number , Aodhan King, to the Gorey bench. "Irony". What a difference a week makes! Revenge, they say........

Gorey: Conor Hatton, Jack Cleary, Sean Byrne, Stephen Duke, Rory O Toole, Sean O Connor, Robert Harrington, James Mulligan,  JJ Earle,  Richard Deering, David Condren, Harry Woods, Fergal Bolger [Capt], Danny Hughes, Josh White.  Subs: Kallum O Donoghue, David Eirkem, Conor Savage, Sean Mahon, Paddy Chapman, Donnachda Carroll, Stephen Doyle, Adam Thompson.