Willie Schutz the door on Gorey
LEINSTER LEAGUE DIVISION 1A
DUNDALK are emerging as the most credible challenger to foot-perfect Ashbourne following a hard-fought win with a weakened squad in Gorey on Saturday.
Missing a number of key players through injury, Dundalk started brightly against the Wexford outfit, but after holding an early attack at bay the hosts drew first blood with the opening try of the game.
Strong running and assured handling in the build-up set up a superb team try in the corner and with the extras added, Gorey took a 7-0 lead.
Dundalk’s response was swift and clinical. After the kick-off they slowly closed in on the Gorey 22 forcing a penalty which closed the gap.
Again though it was the hosts who took control and strong running from the pack put the Dundalk backs under pressure leading to a second try out wide. This time the conversion was missed, making it 12-3.
Dundalk were now struggling and a few line-out errors coupled with a baffling penalty against an otherwise dominant scrum didn’t make life any easier.
And the visitor’s misery was compounded when Gorey crossed for another converted try to push their lead out to 19-3.
The home side now had a bonus point victory firmly in the crosshairs, but Dundalk had other ideas and refused to throw in the towel.
They were soon on the attack and with the penalty count mounting against the home the referee finally lost patience and sent their number 8 to the bin.
Dundalk made their numerical advantage count freeing full back Robbie Williams to power over on his seasonal debut having returned from a broken hand. The conversion closed the gap to 19 - 10 and was followed just before the half by another converted penalty after Gorey again strayed offside, leaving the scoreline at a much healthier 19-13 at the break.
The second half was a slugfest with both teams enjoying periods of dominance in the opening 15 minutes without impacting the scoreboard.
The physical nature of the game was also having an effect with both Ciaran Lennon and later former captain Enda Murphy picking up injuries that forced them off.
As both teams sought to grab the initiative it was Dundalk who pounced next when a fantastic tackle by Laurence Steen saw the ball squirt loose to Gautier Petit. He fed Johnny William who moved it to brother his Robbie before Patrick Reilly opted to kick forward from tight against the touchline.
A strong chase put pressure on the Gorey fullback who spilled the clearance and Williams won the race to the loose ball. Another chip forward bounced perfectly for Reilly to nudge it forward and touch down. The conversion gave Dundalk their first lead of the day, 20-19.
Gorey responded strongly and the vocal home crowd were rewarded when they knocked over a penalty to re-take the lead just ten minutes from the end.
It was impossible to pick a winner at this stage, but it was Gorey who were building pressure and on three occasions they breached the Dundalk 22 in search of a match-clinching score, but time and again Dundalk stood strong on their line.
Just when it looked like they might get over, another fantastic turnover allowed Dundalk to counter and they showed great composure under pressure to work the ball forward.
It was the home team who blinked first opting to slow the ball at the breakdown illegally. 35 meters out and 15 from the sideline, Willie Schutz stepped up to nail the resulting penalty and push Dundalk back into the lead with just three minutes remaining.
There was still work to be done as Gorey came in search of any type of score to snatch the win. Dundalk, aware that any penalty would be enough to seal their fate continued to battle and were rewarded when more heroic tackling forced a knock-on.
Dundalk who have grown in confidence through each game this season played the situation perfectly, locking out the scrum before booting the ball into the crowd to secure a fantastic away win.
DUNDALK: Conor williams, Sean Arrowsmith, Robert farrell, Eoin sullivan, Enda Murphy, Laurence Steen, Ciaran Lennon, Tiernan Gonnelly, Gautier Petit, Conor Hennessey, Patrick Reilly, Johnny Williams, Willie Schutz, Ronan Greene, Robbie Williams. Subs used: Johnny Gray, Ben Mortimer, Zac Coan, Jack Connolly, Andrew Williams.