South-East Shield Final U19s

Gorey 48 Wicklow 20

Gorey U19s demonstrated their substantial strength in depth in winning the South-east Shield at Clonattin on Saturday. Starting many of their fringe players, including ten who will be underage next year, they dominated this fixture producing attack of the highest quality at times. In doing so, they extended their undefeated home record on the main Clonattin pitch to 2 full seasons.

The teams exchanged penalties in  the opening salvos both kickers mastering the stiff cross wind. The Gorey scrum was struggling for probably the first time all season and the new lineout personnel were less than dominant keeping Wicklow in the game. But it was clear that Gorey held the advantage at the breakdown where Deasun Griffin and Josh White were a nuisance with Jack Cleary relishing the close contact at outside centre. From one such ruck turnover Stephen Duke orchestrated one of his many first half first channel breaks. Two top drawer offloads in quick succession close in saw the ball transferred to Josh White and then Jack Cleary who crashed over under the posts.

A Rory O Toole corner flag tackle saved Gorey's tryline shortly after before a D1 defensive error allowed the smart Wicklow 10 to progress after a ruck to score an equalising try in the second quarter. But Gorey's response was swift and lethal. Yet another turnover allowed yet another Stephen Duke line break. Josh White was again on hand in support and executed a perfect two on one to put a delighted Eoin Walsh over under the posts. James Nolan kicked the conversion and a further penalty to give Gorey a 20-10 cushion at the interval.

Gorey now strengthened their team to ensure the entire squad had game time. Their dominance increased. Their breakdown recycling was top class and attacking lines of running both from deep and close in produced four converted tries. James Mulligan from close in after spadework by Donnachada Carroll, James Nolan with a line-break from deep, Stephen Gardiner off a ruck close in, and the inevitable Josh White blind side scrum break after combining with Robert Harrington at 9. Gorey video analysis will not be kind for Wicklow's second half try. But overall they will be satisfied with their work at the breakdown and the efficiency of their attack.

Gorey captain for the day James Nolan and team captain Fergal Bolger casually lifted the Boden Shield after the game. But this team's thoughts had already turned to the Leinster [Darcy] cup final at Donnybrook next Saturday. A very different game in prospect. For a far bigger prize.

Gorey: Rory O Toole, David Eirkem,James Nolan [Capt], Jack Cleary, Paddy Chapman, Stephen Duke, Brian Brooks. Sean Mahon, Eoin Walsh, Callum O Donoghue, David Condren, Peter Spencer, Deasun Griffin, Conor Savage,  Josh White. Subs: Stephen Gardiner,  Donnachada Carroll, Robert Harrington,  JJ Earle, James Mulligan,  Fergal Bolger,  Sean Byrne, Adam Thompson, Stephen Doyle.