Gorey seconds end level
THE GOREY J2s travelled to Carlow on Sunday for the first round of the Towns Cup. Carlow, who are playing in Division 2A, have only lost one game all season and are so far out in front that they have one handle on the trophy with two games to play.
Gorey knew they were in for a tough battle, as the cup has a knack of levelling the playing field, no matter what division a club is playing in.
On a beautiful cold day, with just a slight breeze blowing across the pitch, the match kicked off with the home team expected to take the game to the visitors.
But it was Gorey who set off at a tremendous pace and within minutes they were awarded a penalty attempt which Aidan O’Brien pushed just wide.
Gorey kept coming and good inter-changing between the backs and the forwards saw Andrew Walsh cross for the opening try which Aidan O’Brien converted.
Gorey pressed again and should have crossed for another try, but a poor pass cost them with the line at their mercy.
Carlow rallied and put good pressure on, but Gorey stood the test well. Gorey attacked again and were awarded another penalty which Aidan O’Brien landed.
The next ten minutes was all Carlow, who were now playing some of their best rugby of the half as Gorey seemed to tire, and a Nigel Smith penalty saw them reduce the lead.
Gorey were to pay a further cost as good pressure by Carlow saw them draw level, with a Caoimhan Brennan try which Nigel Smith converted.
As the clock ticked down Carlow set the cat among the pigeons when they crossed again for another try, as the disarray in the visitors’ defence continued, and this left the score at 15-10 to the hosts.
The second-half started with Gorey having to soak up a lot of pressure, and they can count themselves lucky to survive as Carlow squandered two clearcut chances.
Somehow Gorey rallied and good work from a rejuvenated pack saw them lift the siege.
They worked their way into the visitors’ half and when Andrew Walsh spotted an opening he raced through, to out-run the Carlow defence and pull Gorey level.
Gorey were now back in the game and it was now their turn to apply some pressure, which they did, but like Carlow they squandered two good opportunities.
It finished 15-15 and extra-time was called to decide this game. It wasn’t to be as both teams had chances, with Carlow missing two penalty attempts to go into round two.
The replay should be fixed for next Sunday in Gorey and, if this game was anything to go by, it should be a cracker between these two evenly-matched teams.
Gorey had some good performers in the pack with Eoin O Scannail, Ross Doyle and Steven Triggs showing well. The backs were not found wanting either, with Tommy New and Andrew Walsh the pick of an exciting line.
Gorey: C. Allen, E. O Scannail, W. Rothwell, R. Doyle, Z. Sinnott, A. Copeland, S. Triggs, H. Gaiser, A. O’Brien, C. Butler, S. Kennedy, E. Walsh, S. Byrne, T. New, A. Walsh, T. Tomkins, A. Kinsella, R. Hughes, L. Willoughby, B. Brooks.