GOREY U15s START WITH A WIN

Gorey RFC Under 15's travelled to Wicklow on Saturday evening last to begin their South East League title defence.

Wicklow responded breaking the Gorey cover to level proceedings on 18 minutes. The subsequent conversion put Wicklow ahead 7-5 against the run of play. Gorey regained the lead on 25 minutes with fantastic work by Dylan Slator at the breakdown creating the opportunity on the Wicklow 5m line. Slator powered over for a well earned try with Lloyd Stephens shaving the upright with his conversion attempt.  This was the last action of a lively first half with Gorey showing fantastic skill and commitment in all positions. Eoin Molloy, Shane Stokes, Tom Cleary, Andy Kinsella and Lloyd Stephens carrying strongly throughout and Stephens in particular dominating the lineouts. 7-10 to Gorey at the interval.

Gorey raised the tempo from the whistle and pounded the Wicklow lines in the opening 10 minutes of the second period.

Gorey rucked fiercly and were sharper overall at the breakdown putting immense pressure on the Wicklow defense. The Gorey backline
changed the point of attack at will as they stormed into the Wicklow 22. Dylan Slator crossed the gainline offloading to Eoin Molloy in close support.
Molloy gained all of 15 metres carrying impressively before offloading to Shane Stokes who finished in style under the Wicklow posts.

From the restart Gorey went through the phases impressing with their patience and control. Off third phase ball Dylan Slator emerged from the back of the ruck to power over his second of the evening. 7 - 20 to Gorey who at this point were playing magnificent attacking fluid rugby. Wicklow were not finished yet and were fortunate to be awarded a penalty try on 41 minutes. The subsequent conversion closed the home team to within 6 points. Game on as we entered the final quarter. Shane Stokes crossed for Gorey in the corner after fine work down the left wing, with P.J Barnes and Fionn O'Loughlin adding 2 more converted tries to see the scoreline reflect the superb workrate of the Gorey team. Wicklow 14 - Gorey 39 as we entered stoppage time.

The Gorey backline were superb all evening with handling of the highest quality and excellent defensive play much applauded by a large appreciative crowd. The play of the second half was a superb cross field kick from out half Micky Duke (C) picking out winger Joseph Naughton who touched down under the posts. On this occasion the referee ruled the play offside by the finest of margins so it didn't count but this brought the crowd to their feet in appreciation of this young Gorey squad. Wicklow added a converted try with the last play of the evening, their centres combining to break the Gorey cover out wide on the 22.

At this stage Gorey had their work done registering their first victory of the new campaign.

Well done to all the Gorey squad on a superb performance.

Many thanks to Leinster match officials and to all our travelling supporters on the day.

Gorey Squad; Eoin Molloy, Dylan Slator, Liam Molloy, Lloyd Stephens, Cameron Reynolds, Tom Cleary, Jack Minogue, Shane Stokes, Killian Pierce, Joseph Naughton, Sean Bardon, Andy Kinsella, P.J. Barnes, Fionn O' Loughlin, Michael Duke, Eoin Buckley, Sean Dunne, Carl Clarke, Aaron Donnelly, Charlie McGuckin, Conor O'Toole, Jack O' Mahony, Cathal O'Reilly, Max Bursey, Charles McCann, Lorcan O' Donovan, Alan Kelly.