Gorey travelled to Carlow on Sunday last for the most important match in their league campaign to date….

Still unbeaten in this league Gorey were taking on a Carlow side that had vastly improved heading into the later part of the League. Gorey were playing with a very large and loyal travelling support on the side-line, which once more is a credit to the club, and they did their job by making themselves very vocal.

This match had all the ingredients for a cracking game and it did not disappoint. From the start it was obvious that both sides were going to give their all. Hard crunching tackles and tough physical breakdowns were the order of the day and both sides were on for playing open rugby.

Gorey were first on the score sheet when just after kick-off got a penalty, which James Nolan put over to settle the nerves for Gorey. From the restart the game became a real battle for possession. Gorey’s scrums and line outs were functioning very well.

Carlow got a bit of momentum midway through the half and got a penalty themselves which brought the scores to 3 points each but it was late in this half that Carlow inflicted a killer blow, when they ran in a try, and the halftime whistle went with Carlow leading 8 to 3 points.

The second half commenced with Gorey having to weather a big push by Carlow which they defended well. Each side were making mistakes, under huge pressure, and handing their opponents the possession and the game was being played in every part of the pitch.

At this stage the game turned into a nail biter with both sides putting their bodies on the line and it was absolutely nerve wrecking to watch. Gorey were next to score when Nevil Copeland ran into the corner to bring the match to all square and apart from a tense last few minutes the match ended this way to a cheer from the large support who were kept on their toes for the whole game. Final score: Carlow 8 v Gorey 8.

This will be the first time in Gorey’s history that they will play Division 1 Rugby and it still leaves this team unbeaten in the League. Gorey’s next game will be at home next Sunday with K.O. at 3pm against Tullow in the Plate.

Team: 1.Ciiran Allen 2. Barry O’Connor 3. Tom Tomkins 4. Adrian Copeland 5. Daragh O’Leary 6. Micheal Woods 7. Ben Horan 8. J.P.Redmond  9.Matt Bater 10. Stephen Dukes 11. Shane O’Leary 12.
James Nolan 13. Colm Peavoy 14. Darren Dunne 15. Nevil Copeland 16. Philip Horan 17. P.J.Clince 18.Jason Emery 19. Will Kearney 20. Jordan Ahern

Gorey J2’S finish their league on a high…

Gorey J2’s, who were without a competitive game for some weeks, and topping this League travelled to Carlow knowing that a win would bag them the title…

Carlow who were biting at their heels had a match in hand, with seven points between the two sides. Leaving aside all possible computations, Gorey were set on getting a win and lifting the title in Carlow. The game was only two minutes old when the ball was shifted out wide and pass on to Fergal Bolger who went over to score and Clinton Furney converted.

Gorey then could have had two more tries when great moves were not finished off. Gorey then allowed Carlow back into the game. For the most part of the opening period, Carlow were camped in Gorey’s half but sterling defence from Gorey kept Carlow from scoring. Carlow were rewarded with a penalty and the game reached half time 7pts to 3pts for Gorey.

The second half resumed with Carlow applying the pressure and after a missed penalty they continued to test Gorey’s defence. The game ebbed and flowed and it was Gorey who were next to score, when Clinton Furney slotted over a penalty for in at the side of the ruck. Philip Furney, for Gorey, was next to score when he ran in a well worked try and Clinton converted with only 10 minutes left in the game. Gorey’s defence eventually succumbed to pressure from Carlow with a try and conversion of their own bringing the final score to 17points to 10 points to Gorey.

The Leinster League Seconds Division 2A title comes to Gorey for the first time and the J2’s remain unbeaten.

Team: 1.Edward Warren 2.Fergal Bolger 3.Richard Deering 4.Ciaran Hennessy 5. Colin French 6.Dean Redmond 7. Killian Breen 8. Paul Wafer 9. Robert Harrington 10. Aidan O’Brien 11. John Condern 12. Sean Byrne 13. Philip Furney 14. Clinton Furney 15. Sean O’Connor 16. Philip Swaine 17. Josh White 18. John Fanning 19. Glen Lesson 20. Wayne Peavoy