Junior Cup success after long trip west
CONNEMARA BLACKS GOREY 22 25
GOREY MADE the long journey to Clifden to take on the Connemara Blacks in the All-Ireland Junior Cup.
Gorey qualified for this competition having finished in the the top four of the Leinster League last season.
In ideal weather conditions, Gorey quickly got into their rhythm and some good inter-play saw them take the game to the home team.
Within minutes they were inside the Blacks ‘22, but a penalty helped the home team clear their lines.
Gorey were soon back, and a beautiful chip from Mark Kehoe saw Clement Power gather to run in under the posts. Kehoe added the conversion.
The Blacks response was swift, and a brilliant individual run from their full-back, Michael O’Toole, saw him sail in under the posts. With the added conversion, the teams were level.
It was nip and tuck for the next ten minutes as both teams looked for openings. With the strong breeze behind them, Blacks kept the ball in the Gorey half.
A penalty to the corner saw them get over for their second try to extend their lead to 12-7. The conversion attempt hit the post.
With five minutes left, Connemara were reduced to 14 and Gorey were not long in capitalising.
They pressed forward, and good carries from Stephen Gardiner and his pack saw them again in the Blacks ‘22.
A quick-thinking Fionn O’Loughlin split the defence, the ball was moved wide, and Flynn Donnelly cantered over to draw the sides level.
From way out and into the wind, Mark Kehoe was just wide with the conversion attempt to leave the teams all square at half-time.
The second-half saw Gorey play with the wind at their backs and, from the re-start, immediately put Blacks under pressure.
With a man up, Gorey were edging the scrums and when awarded a penalty opted for a scrum. The pack pushed over for Jordan Ahern to touch down. Kehoe added the conversion to leave the score at 19-12.
Gorey could have extended their lead but the Blacks defence stood strong. A yellow card for Gorey under the posts saw a Blacks penalty reduce the lead.
The home team sensed blood and kept up the pressure. A further yellow saw Gorey with one coming on and the other going off.
In the 75th minute, Blacks put some good phases together and worked their way into the Gorey ‘22 to go over to put them in the lead with just minutes left.
Blacks looked to be home but, from the restart, Gorey forced them back in their ‘22 and a penalty saw Mark Kehoe slot over to draw the teams level.
From the re-start, Gorey moved the ball wide and a super run by Flynn Donnelly took them into the home ‘22 where Blacks gave away another penalty. Up stepped Mark Kehoe to put Gorey in front as the referee blew the final whistle.
Gorey had some good performances, with the front row coping well with the bigger opposition, while Jordan Ahern and Stanley Hadden were also to the fore.
But the Gorey backs take the most plaudits, with Fionn O’Loughlin, Clement Power and man of the match Mark Kehoe in great form.
Gorey advance to the quarter-finals where they will meet All-Ireland champions Ashbourne on Saturday, November 16.
Gorey: W. Rothwell , L. Molloy, K. Browne, D. O’Leary, S. Gardiner (capt.), E. Walsh, S. Hadden, J. Ahern, D. McGrath, M. Kehoe, F. Donnelly, C. Power, J. Rothwell, J. Naughton, M. Duke, B. O’Connor, K. Breen, B. Mason, F. O’Loughlin, S. Tomkins.