First try seals spot in final for Gorey
THE GOREY Under-14s travelled to Carlow on Saturday to take on Naas in the Leinster Premier semi-final. It was a beautiful day for it and a good fixture was expected. Both sides met in a hard-fought clash last season and this was their first encounter since then.
Gorey started very strongly and after five minutes Jack Higgins crossed over for what would prove to be a crucial first try. It was 5-0 and just the start the boys would have hoped for but, instead of building on this, the initiative was handed right back to Naas.
The re-start was poorly dealt with which allowed Naas right back into the game. Their pressure, especially from their back line, paid off and by the tenth minute they were 12-10 up.
Further pressure led to the concession of a penalty and as half-time drew close the score was 15-5. But before the interval George Hadden made a fantastic break up the left wing, and fended off several would-be tacklers to crash over in the corner, leaving the half time score at 15-10 and the Gorey boys were back in it.
The second-half saw a much-improved Gorey performance. The pack came much more into the game and the Gorey back line got much tighter on their opponents.
The vast majority of the second-half was played in Naas territory but, despite repeated attacks, the line stayed intact. As the clock ran down Gorey were camped in the Naas ‘22.
Repeated carries by the forwards edged Gorey ever closer until Shay Guilfoyle reached out to touch down. It was 15-15 and only minutes were left, but Naas weren’t finished.
One last attack brought them to within five metres of the Gorey line. A huge hit from Ewan Stephens knocked them back and further good defence finally resulted in a turnover.
A fine kick from Lee Cushe saw the ball out of play and the final whistle sounded. It was 15 apiece but Gorey went through, thanks to scoring the first try, to meet Tullamore in the final on April 8.
Featuring well for Gorey were Jack Higgins, Michal Kruczek, Ross O’Loughlin, Ewan Stephens and man of the match George Hadden.
Team: J. Curley, D. Fitzpatrick, E. Byrne, R. Tubritt, S. Guilfoyle, S. Sawyer, G. Hadden, E. Stephens, J. Higgins, L. Cushe, T. Baxter, M. Kruczek, R. O’Loughlin, B. Cushe, J. Milne, A. McNeill, E. McCrea, A. Cleary, R. Arnold, S. Campbell-Carty, R. Cleary, S. O’Hagan, C. Byrne, P. Kinsella, C. Byrne.