02 March 2013 

Gorey U19s v Navan U19s - Leinster Darcy Cup 

This was the game in waiting. Observers from both camps had lined this match up as the clash of the heavyweights as both teams headed their respected Leinster League Pool groups unbeaten. It was not going to disappoint.

On a glorious spring day in Gory RFC you could expect some nerves from the players off both teams when the start of play was signalled . However this was not to be the case. Both teams attacked with speed with beautifully created lines. Each break to be halted with fantastic defending from both sets of players. Gorey had possession early on and held it through the phases. After three phases and quick ball it was Gorey who put the first points on the board after 15 mins. It was Josh White once again, as he has so many times this season breaking through the defence 20 meters out and touching down under the posts. Conor Hatton converted to make it 7 - 0 to Gorey and the start the home crowd so desperately wanted.

However it was not to last long as Navan showed why they topped their league in the pool stages and have been unbeaten up to this match. They asserted huge pressure on the Gorey defence from the kick off and with some uncharteristic missed tackles Navan were now yards from their objective. It was on the 5th phase of Navans attack and Gorey now scrambling to defend, they got their break and duly took it just right of the posts to bring the score to 7 - 5. The conversion was narrowly missed.

It was Gorey now who were building the phases and putting the Navan defence under intense pressure bringing the play outside the Navan 22. However Gorey conceded a penalty for not releasing and in turn allowed Navan to return play all the way back to the Gorey Half.

The last five minutes of the first half saw Navan attacking wide using their very talented back three. Moving right and using the width of the pitch they were stopped just short of the Gorey try line. Quick recycling saw Navan attacking the left corner and with an overlap they dived in to take the lead on the halftime whistle. Half time score 7 - 10 to the Visitors.

The second half started as the first half had ended with both teams attacking and defending at the highest of levels. Gorey was in possession and their forwards provided quick ball which the back line used with speed and aggression. After three phases the ball was put through the hands with Conor Hatton stepping of his left foot and crossing the line with two Navan players hanging off him but he was unstoppable and touched down for a fantastic team try. He converted his try to bring Gorey back to a 14 - 10 lead.

It was still early in the second half but the Gorey backs changed their tactics putting ball to boot with excellent positional kicking sending Navan back in to their 22 at every opportunity. This was a clever move which frustrated their opponents who found it difficult to break out of their own half. The constant pressure from the home team resulted in a kickable penalty 10m in just outside the Navan 22. Conor Hatton cooly stepped up and slotted the ball through the posts to make it 17 - 10, ensuring it would now take the visitors two scores to win this match.

Navan attacked from the kick off but the Gorey tackling was faultless causing spilled ball or with numbers to the breakdown allowing Gorey to turn over possession. Navan put in a Valliant last 10 mins but to the credit of the Gorey players their defence held solid.

The most independent person at this match commented after "this was the best and most exciting game of youth's rugby I have seen or officiated at" thanks Ref.

Gorey RFC: Richard Deering, JJ Earle, James Mulligan, Harry Woods, David Condron, Fergal Bolger (Capt), Donnchadh Carroll, Josh White, Rob Harrington, Sean O Connor, Jack Cleary, Stephen Duke, Sean Byrne, Brian Brooks, Conor Hatton, Sean Mahon, Kallum O' Donoghue, David Ekrim, Deasun Griffin, Conor Savage, Paddy Chapman, Rory O'Toole, Adam Thompson.