Depleted U-18s beaten on road
Setback for Gorey in Laois
THE GOREY Under-18s got back to league action on Saturday following their second round D’Arcy Cup win the previous weekend.
However, whilst they got away with a win on that occasion with a depleted squad and players utilised out of position, this time around they found it impossible to cope with ten players being unavailable for selection, including most of their back line, against a strong Portlaoise team. And so, they travelled with just 16 players for this crucial game.
It took a while for players to settle in to unfamiliar positions, with a number of Gorey’s forwards slotting in as backs, and their winger having to fill in as scrum-half for the first time.
It was during this settling-in period that Portlaoise took advantage, with two identical tries within the opening eight minutes.
Both tries resulting from kickedthrough balls, which their speedy winger pounced upon (14-0).
As the game progressed and Gorey settled and went through the phases, Frank Kavanagh made a strong run, breaking several tackles before releasing Mark Boyle for their opening score.
Gorey’s Cormac Walsh was their go-to ball carrier, and he slipped several attempted tackles before passing out to Martin O’Loughlin, who appeared to touch down under the posts, but was adjudged to have been held up.
Gorey were penalised in the resulting five-metre scrum and Portlaoise got out of jail after sustained pressure.
However, it was a moment of magic that presented the next score, as Gorey’s Cormac Walsh once again took on the ball in his own half, sitting down his opposing number 7 and once more shifting several tackles to run the length of the pitch.
He was finally caught by the Portlaoise full-back, but not held in the tackle and went over for an incredible solo try (14-10).
As the clock ticked toward the break, Portlaoise were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which they converted to leave the halftime score 17-10.
The second-half started with Gorey piling on the pressure and Portlaoise defending well, while trying to slow down the game.
Within five minutes of the restart, Portlaoise were reduced to 14 men when their large second row was yellow carded for persistent infringements.
Gorey took complete advantage soon afterwards when Jack Ryan powered through several defenders before releasing to the dam-busting Cormac Walsh who went over for his second try to level things up.
As Portlaoise were restored to full strength, their talented out-half sold a dummy and ran over for a try in the corner to restore the home side’s lead (22-17).
Gorey’s line-out had worked well for them and it was from one of these that they rolled a maul toward the Portlaise line, only for it to be brought down.
As the referee held out his arm to indicate advantage for Gorey, Mark Boyle didn’t wait for any second chances and he dived over for his second try to bring the sides level once again.
With just two minutes left, it looked like these teams wouldn’t be separated, but when the referee called advantage, this time for Portlaoise, their out-half decided to chance a free play and kicked a long ball out towards the wing.
It was expertly gathered by their winger, who scored the final try to leave the final score 27-22.
No side can afford to lose ten players and still expect to go out and win all their games in this competitive Premier League.
All of the players who did tog out can be justifiably proud of their performance, but at the end of the day for crucial games such as this, you need to travel with a full squad.
There were some outstanding performances across the park for Gorey, with Eoin Canavan performing well as scrum-half and Frank Kavanagh, Jack Ryan and Mark Boyle showing well, but Gorey’s man of the match goes to Cormac Walsh, who set the example for the entire team with his never-give-up attitude.
This loss puts Gorey’s semi-final ambitions in jeopardy, meaning that they will need a win in their outstanding game against neighbours Wexford.
Gorey: Niall Kenny, Cormac Walsh, Jack Ryan, Rhys Slator, Tadhg O’Neill (capt.), Frank Kavanagh, Martin O’Loughlin, Mark Boyle, Eoin Canavan, Cathal Stokes, Robert Murphy, Adam Byrne, Cian Kenny, Alex Rothwell, Oisín Fortune. Sub. - Cian Sullivan.