Gorey thirds make history
THE GOREY J3 team made history when they overcame an excellent Tullamore side on a score of 20-15 to lift the Anderson Cup for the first time since 1989.
In the end they had to rely on the linesman’s intervention as in the final minute Tullamore had crossed to draw the sides level. A misdemeanour at the scrum just before the Offaly men scored saw the referee disallow the try.
From the start Tullamore wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard as they got off to a flyer and crossed for the opening try in the second minute.
Gorey settled and put some good phases together, with Michael Woods and Paul Wafer carrying well, but with the line at their mercy they somehow managed to pass up the opportunity.
Tullamore again worked their way up field and after sustained pressure on the Gorey line, crossed to extend their lead to 10-0. Both conversion attempts hit the post.
Despite this setback, Gorey were showing signs that they were still in the game.
Just before half-time, following the introduction of Simon Besanson, Gorey finally got on the scoresheet when Tommy New gathered deep in his own ‘22.
He made tracks for open territory, and evaded a number of would-be tacklers to take Gorey deep in the Tullamore half.
Further carries from the pack with good hands and quick inter-play with the backs saw number 8 Paul Wafer go over to leave the score at 10-5 at the break.
The second-half saw Gorey up their game, with Brian Brooks and captain Aidan O’Brien directing operations. Gorey continued to move the ball wide at every opportunity, with some big carries from centre Adrian Copeland punching holes in the Offaly men’s defence.
It did not take long for this passage of play to pay off when, after sustained pressure, a deliberate offside saw Gorey awarded a penalty try to put them in front for the first time (12-10).
From the kick-off Gorey went straight back on the attack, with the Woods brothers, Michael and Harry, making some hard yards.
Ten minutes later a couple of quick penalties by Michael Woods forced Tullamore deep into their ‘22.
Gorey again upped the pressure and phase after phase saw Tullamore finally run out of numbers as Colm O’Keeffe crossed for try number three.
Gorey stretched their lead again after further intense pressure saw Tullamore penalised in front of the posts. Conor Hatton kicked the penalty to extend Gorey’s lead to 20-10.
For the next ten minutes Tullamore threw everything at Gorey, and with ten minutes left they got over in the corner for a try.
Tullamore still had a sting in their tail and from a Gorey put-in they somehow managed to get the ball back on their side, not once but twice, and scored from the latter. But following consultation with the linesman, the try was disallowed much to the relief of the Gorey support.
In the end Gorey just about deserved their win as they took home the Anderson Cup to Clonattin for the first time since 1989.
In an excellent overall team performance, Gorey had again some outstanding displays.
The back row of Harry and Michael Woods, Paul Wafer and hooker Barry Doyle were outstanding in a brilliant overall forward display.
But the backs played their part too, as Tommy New, Aidan O’Brien, Brian Brooks and man of the match Adrian Copeland ensured Gorey were on the offensive throughout.
It did not go unnoticed that in the semi-final and final the introduction of Simon Besanson had a positive impact on the scoreline. In both matches Gorey were down by ten points and in both during his brief visit Gorey went into the lead; talk about an impact sub.
Gorey: N. Rothwell, B. Doyle, R. Jones, C. French, Z. Sinnott, H. Woods, M. Woods, P. Wafer, B. Brooks, A. O’Brien, T. New, A. Copeland, C. O’Keeffe, C. Hatton, P.J. Clince, N. Cousins, S. Besanson, A. Embley, D. Brohan, K. Harrington.