Sweet win for Arklow against neighbours
ARKLOW travelled to local rivals Gorey on Saturday last to kick off their League campaign.
Having beaten Gorey just two weeks ago in the Shield semi final Arklow were wary that the opposition would be looking to turn the tables at home.
Indeed it was Gorey that set the pace from the outset attacking the Arklow defence in constant waves, but Arklow dug deep and held strong with massive early counter rucking by Daire Furlong and Luke Doyle.
Having weathered the early storm it was Arklow’s turn to apply the pressure with quick hands through the back line.
In a move started by scrum half Padraig Birmingham the ball spread across the field into the hands of the returning Conn Kinsella to touch down for an unconverted try in the corner.
Arklow now continued to play in the Gorey half and the quick play lead to a penalty award for offside which was kicked to Kinsella for Arklow to lead 0-8.
If Arklow thought their work was going to be easy, Gorey had other ideas, the home team played a pick and go attack through the phases that resulted in a converted try just before half time, with the score now reading 7-8 at half time.
The second half proved to be a real battle with no side giving an inch as would be expected in a local derby, Harry Stevens worked his socks off on the wing with Jamie Tobin and Josh Tunney cleaning out ruck after ruck.
Arklow came close with fifty minutes gone just to knock on the ball virtually on the try line to the gasps of the large crowd. Gorey now defending as good as Arklow did in the first half held out the Arklow attacks with time edging closer to the end.
But it was to be Arklow’s day as Oran Kelly gathered the ball from the back of a five meter scrum to power over the line with a massive push by the forwards for an unconverted try.
Gorey had a very late attack foiled by Dean Kelly Farrell under the posts which prevented them scoring at all in the second half.
A welcome final whistle seen Arklow take the game 7-13 after an excellent performance.