Gorey remain undefeated
U-17s flying in Premier
GOREY’S U-17’S had home advantage this week as they welcomed Boyne Rfc to Clonattin for their second game in Phase 2 of the Leinster Premier League.
Gorey came into this game after an important win away to Wicklow last week to leave them joint top of the league with North Kildare. But it was the visitors who started the strongest and Gorey had to withstand enormous pressure from the large Boyne side who pinned them on their own line for the opening phases of this game.
However, Gorey’s strong defence absorbed the pressure and just ten minutes into the game Jack Ryan took on the ball and made strong run dragging several Boyne defenders in tow. He then passed the ball out to Mark Kehoe who dummied his opposing number to make ground before expertly releasing the ball to Seán Wafer who went over for the opening try of the game. Oisín Fortune made sure of the conversion to put Gorey 7 – 0 in front.
From the restart, Boyne chased and rucked well, putting Gorey under pressure once again. The referee awarded a penalty to Boyne within kicking distance, but the shot fell just wide of the posts.
Mark Boyle and his namesake Mark Kehoe both used their boot to good effect, as they drove the ball downfield to relieve the pressure and gain good ground for Gorey on a number of occasions. And when Gorey were awarded a penalty 15 minutes into the game, it was one of these kicks that gave Gorey a lineout just outside the Boyne 22 metre line. Gorey won the lineout and fed the ball out to outhalf Mark Kehoe, who decided to take it on himself and made a great run, dancing past several Boyne defenders and narrowly avoiding an ankle-tap before putting the ball down for a try. Gorey 12 Boyne 0
But Boyne were still very strong and it took some tremendous tackles to stop them scoring, with Mark Kehoe and Robert Murphy demonstrating huge commitment to bring down several attacks.
After 20 minutes Gorey began threading some beautiful passes together and they were stretching Boyne’s defence to the limit.
From one of these attacks they won a penalty 30 metres out and full-back Oisín Fortune slotted it over to extend Gorey’s lead to 15 – 0.
Minutes later another great move released Robert Murphy who managed to break through several tackles to run for the Boyne line, leaving all remaining defenders in his wake. But just as he was a few metres from the line for a certain try, the referee blew his whistle to deal with some off the ball fracas involving two players.
This surely let Boyne off the hook for what may have put the game beyond them. From the resultant scrum, back where the incident occurred, Boyne managed to win a penalty, which they kicked for touch. And from the subsequent lineout they bundled over the line a try. The conversion was well taken to bring Boyne back into the game at; Gorey 15 Boyne 7.
However, Gorey’s backs were into their swing now and continued to string together passes, which Boyne were struggling to cope with. With just minutes remaining in the first half, Boyne were penalised for offside and Mark Boyle kicked a long ball for a lineout, just outside Boyne’s 22. Gorey took the ball from the lineout and put together a strong maul, driving Boyne back towards their line.
The ball was eventually fed out to Mark Kehoe who kicked a delicate ball over the heads of the defensive line, which was skilfully collected in the air by Seán Wafer for his second try of the game. Once again, Oisín Fortune made sure of the conversion to finish the half at; Gorey 22 Boyne 7.
Gorey kicked off the second half and chased up their kick with a tremendous urgency. Robert Murphy put in another terrific tackle to stop Boyne in their tracks and then some wonderful counter-rucking forced a loose ball, which hooker Toby Falconer dived upon to give possession back to Gorey. Flanker Darragh Canavan collected the ball from the base of the ruck and had to work hard to break several tackles before grounding the ball for another Gorey try with just a minute of the second half gone. Gorey 27 Boyne 7
Boyne continued to fight and managed a long kick to give Gorey a lineout just outside their own 22. Whilst Gorey’s lineout had been working well, on this occasion the referee penalised them for delaying the throw-in and from the Boyne penalty just one missed tackle by Gorey allowed the visitors to record their second try of the game, which they converted. Gorey 27, Boyne 14
The centre partnership of Boyle and Wafer continued to cause headaches for Boyne and when Mark Boyle dodged several defenders he left them scrambling to get back, but Boyle managed to link up with Wafer and put him in for his third try of the game. Gorey 34 Boyne 14
Just five minutes later and it was replacement winger Flynn Donnelly’s turn to get his name on the score sheet, as he chased a kick through to gather the ball and score. Gorey 39, Boyne 14
Gorey were in free flow now and once again Flynn got on to a long ball, which he kicked ahead and his lightning speed looked sure to guarantee him another score, but he was tripped and Boyne managed to scramble the ball away to safety.
To Boyne’s credit they never gave up and they were rewarded late in the game when they managed to get over for another try to narrow the gap to Gorey 39, Boyne 21.
And this is how the game finished. Boyne proved to be strong opposition, but Gorey were just too good on the day and continue their unbeaten run in phase two of this premier league.
GOREY: 1. Jack Ryan, 2. Toby Falconer, 3. Niall Kenny, 4. Cian Kenny, 5. Tadhg O’Neill, 6. Daragh Canavan, 7. Dylan Sawyer, 8. Robert Murphy, 9. Mark Doyle, 10. Mark Kehoe, 11. Paddy O’Hagan, 12. Mark Boyle, 13. Seán Wafer, 14. Ryan Kinsella, 15. Oisín Fortune. Subs: 16. Adam Byrne, 17. Cillian Tomkins, 18. Flynn Donnelly, 19. Frank Kavanagh, 20. Joe Butler, 21. Kyle Donnelly, 22. Henry Kennedy, 23. Ryan Gibney.
Gorey’s U17s second team also had a game this weekend as they travelled on Friday night to Balbriggan to play their opening game in the Leinster League.
Gorey proved too strong for the Dubliners and came out easy winners at 61 – 28 in an entertaining game.