25^th April ‘14

Gorey U20s Progress to Gale Cup Final

Friday night presented another exciting opportunity for rugby supporters to enjoy top notch rugby under lights at Clonattin, when Gorey’s U20s took on Tullow in the semi-final of the Harry Gale Cup. An unusually late kick-off time of 8:30pm was set to accommodate Tullow’s players, but a beautiful spring evening made it all the more enjoyable for both team’s large number of supporters, as well as for a large group of welsh visitors to Gorey rugby club who couldn’t drag themselves away from this exciting fixture.

Gorey kicked-off and immediately put to bed their unwarranted reputation as slow starters when they made great runs down both wings with Jack Cleary and Cathal O’Neill showing strength and pace that was sure to worry the visitors.

Only a matter of minutes into the game and Gorey found themselves driving a maul in Tullow’s 22 inexorably toward the Tullow line. Just as it looked as if Gorey would march all the way to the line, Harry Woods broke away and finished well to give Gorey their first try, which was duly converted by the ever dependable boot of James Nolan to put Gorey 7 – 0 up.

Tullow fought back through their large pack and strong rucking forcing a penalty from Gorey for hands in the ruck and Tullow made no mistake with the kick to drag them back to 7 – 3.

Sean O'Connor’s kick offs where sublime and put Tullow under immediate pressure, as the Gorey backs chased up and put in solid hits every time. Gorey’s backs showed their class with some lovely passing and hands, defying the fact that this group of players hadn’t played together as a team prior to this competition. But to Tullow’s credit they defended well and Gorey were unable to convert their dominance into points.

Gorey continued to give away penalties at the breakdown and it wasn’t long before Tullow had another penalty opportunity within kicking distance. The kick was sliced, which let Gorey off the hook, but the referee would surely reach for a card if the penalty count continued to rise.

The Gorey pack was dominating the set pieces and in particular they decimated Tullow in every scrum, with the front row of Seán Mahon, James Mulligan and Richard Deering proving to be indestructible.

The Gorey backs too were growing in confidence and some lovely interplay released Stephen Duke for a well worked try after 25 minutes, which Nolan converted again to put the score at Gorey 14 – Tullow 3.

From the kick off Tullow chased and rucked well forcing yet another penalty in the ruck from Gorey. Tullow made no mistake with this kick and closed the gap a little to 14 – 6.

The large crowd at Clonattin, including Seán O’Brien cheering on his Tullow colleagues, were lapping up this feast of rugby and couldn’t fail to be impressed by the standard of play on display.

There was still much more to come in this half, as Gorey’s Eoin Walsh almost single-handedly held up Tullow to win a penalty, which Gorey chose to run and when the ball reached J.J. Earle’s hands he decided that nothing or nobody was going to stop him as he charged for the line, beating three Tullow defenders to get over for Gorey’s third try of the half. The conversion was missed, but Gorey had now extended their lead to 19 – 6.

Gorey continued to skate on thin ice from the referee’s viewpoint, as he awarded yet another penalty against them at the breakdown, which Tullow put over to bring them a little closer at Gorey 19 Tullow 9.

The referee took the opportunity to have a quick word of warning to Gorey captain Dean Redmond and it was clear that any further indiscretions would result in a sin binning.

A scintillating half ended with Gorey leading 19 to 9.

The second half began with Tullow kicking a high testing ball, which was capably handled by Dean Redmond, as he had done all evening.

Play was stopped shortly into the half with Seán Mahon going down injured, thankfully he didn’t require the stretcher that was brought on for him and he managed to limp from the field, having given everything during the game. Gorey were in a fortunate position to have a player of the calibre of Kallum O’Donoghue to come on as his replacement and it didn’t take long for him to impose himself on the game.

Gorey’s backs continued to dazzle with rugby that was just beautiful to behold and Stephen Dukes and Seán O’Connor linked up superbly to send Seán over for a try, which brought the crowd to their feet.

James Nolan converted this to put Gorey even further ahead at 26 – 9.

This proved to be Nolan’s last act in this game, as he made way for Rory O’Toole, who moved to the wing, pushing Cathal O’Neill into the centre alongside Walsh.

David O’Neill replaced Jack Cleary, who had a fine game, on the opposite wing.

Gorey had obviously heeded the referee’s first half warning, as the penalties disappeared to be replaced with a text book display of how to ruck by Fergal Bolger, who left the home crowd incredulous as he stole ball after ball from Tullow rucks, in a performance worthy of any test player.

The supporters would have left well satiated by this feast of rugby, but Gorey still had the dessert to serve up and this came in the form of an exquisite try from the every dependable Donnchadh Carroll who broke the Tullow line, as well as some Tullow hearts, to get over with just minutes remaining for the final try of the game. Once again, this was converted and the referee called time on this super game of rugby with the spoils deservedly going to Gorey with a score of Gorey 33 – Tullow 9.

Tullow deserve every respect for never giving up in this hard fought game.

Gorey now await the winners of the other semi-final on Sunday between Malahide and Mullingar, with the final scheduled for next Saturday 3^rd May at a neutral venue to be advised.

If tonight’s game is anything to go by, then a treat awaits in the upcoming final for anyone who loves the game of rugby.

GOREY TEAM

1.   James Mulligan

2.   Seán Mahon

3.   Richard Deering

4.   Dean Redmond

5.   Harry Woods

6.   J.J. Earle

7.   Fergal Bolger

8.   Donnchadh Carroll

9.   Robert Harrington

10.  Seán O’Connor

11.  Cathal O’Neill

12.  James Nolan

13.  Eoin Walsh

14.  Jack Cleary

15.  Stephen Duke

Replacements

16.  Kallum O’Donoghue

17.  Rory O’Toole

18.  David O’Neill