Gorey J2s advance in cup at second attempt
ON AN absolutely Baltic afternoon on Sunday in Clonattin, Gorey’s J2s and Carlow served up a cracking match in their Towns Cup replay.
Normal and extra-time couldn’t separate these sides one week earlier so a tight affair was expected, which proved to be the case, with a strong wind making things all the more difficult.
Gorey played into the wind in the first-half and the visitors scored first with a penalty after 15 minutes. But try as they might to extend their lead, the Gorey defence held firm.
A try from Seán Byrne after 25 minutes put Gorey 5-3 up, only for Carlow to score a five-pointer themselves after 33 minutes to make it 8-5.
Just before half-time Josh Thomas went over under the Carlow posts, leaving the score 12-8 at the break.
Gorey stepped up a gear in the second period. With the wind at their backs, dogged defence from both backs and forwards plus Conor Butler’s boot ensured Carlow were kept pinned in their half.
A Butler penalty after 55 minutes brought it to 15-8 but the game was still in the melting pot. Tensions were eased with another Butler penalty, after 70 minutes, for 18-8.
Adrian Copeland made sure he wasn’t going to endure another game with extra-time by crossing over from a line-out in the 75th minute, with Butler adding the conversion.
Eoin Walsh then capped a fine display with a try at the finish, with the extras again added by Butler for a 32-8 final score.
Fine performances were supplied across the team. In the pack Ciarán Allen, Adrian Copeland and Eoin Walsh showed well.
In the backs Tommie New made some fantastic breaks while Conor Butler was outstanding with his kicks from both the tee and in open play.
It is the turn of the J1s next Sunday as they welcome Arklow in the Towns Cup in what hopefully will be another cracking encounter. On Saturday night all the action will be in the Amber Springs when Gorey R.F.C. take on St. Pat’s of Camolin in the Lip Sync final.
Team: C. Allen, E. O Scannail, W. Rothwell, R. Doyle, A. Copeland, E. Walsh, S. Hadden, H. Gaiser, A. O’Brien, C. Butler, T. New, J. Thomas, A. Walsh, S. Carty, J. Willoughby, A. Kinsella, T. Tomkins, Z. Sinnott, G. Bater.