Gorey end league on bright note
GOREY DUNDALK 22 7
AFTER THE bad weather of the past month, the final Leinster League Division 1A match of the season saw Gorey entertain Dundalk at Clonattin on Sunday.
In a crucial match that could be very significant when the final placings are decided, Gorey went into the game third from the bottom, just above the relegation zone.
Gorey needed to win to hopefully assure this very young side of a place in Division 1A for the 2018-’19 season. Unfortunately, even a win could still leave an outside chance of relegation.
This outcome could only happen if results in the A.I.L. saw two Leinster teams drop to 1A and the eventual 1A league leaders didn’t advance to the A.I.L.
The match kicked off on an excellent day for rugby, and the hosts scored first when Stephen Horan tapped over a penalty in the fifth minute.
Three minutes later Gorey added to that when a flowing move saw Dave Shannon cross for a try in the corner to take the score to 8-0.
Dundalk settled and in turn put some pressure on the home defence, but with little success.
On the 27-minute mark a break by Killian Breen through the Dundalk cover saw the Gorey backs move the ball wide.
Dave Shannon crossed for try number two for Stephen Horan to convert as Gorey stretched their lead to 15-0.
That was how it stayed until half-time, with both sides having their moments.
The second-half saw Gorey turn with the strong breeze behind them but Dundalk started the brighter.
As so often happens, Dundalk threw caution to the wind and moved the ball at every opportunity, but the ever-alert Shannon intercepted to run in for his third try to extend Gorey’s lead to 22-0 as Horan added the conversion.
Having secured this lead, Gorey seemed to sit back and for long stages soaked up Dundalk pressure. Their defence was finally breached when Dundalk scored a fine try in the 76th minute to leave the score at 22-7.
That was how it ended, with Gorey securing a vital win that hopefully will guarantee their status in 1A for next season.
Gorey had some good performances in the pack, with Dylan Gregan and the back row of Breen, Horan and Ahearne showing well.
The backs as a unit also had their moments, with Marty Swart and Stephen Duke performing well, but man of the match went to Dave Shannon after an overall excellent display which he capped by scoring three tries.
With the league now finally over, Gorey turn their attention to the Towns Cup quarter-final as they welcome the holders Tullow to Gorey next Saturday (3 p.m.).
Gorey: D. Gregan, B. O’Connor, D. Bellanova, S. Gardiner (capt.), T. Jameson, E. Horan, K. Breen, J. Ahearne, S. Horan, M. Swart, R. Harrington, A. Walsh, J. Nolan, D. Shannon, S. Duke, C. Allen, E. Walsh, P. Horan, D. O’Leary, G. Bater, S. Hadden, S. Stokes.