Gorey suffer a setback
GOREY WERE away to Kilkenny in Leinster League Division 1A on Saturday and, after a hard-fought game, they came home empty-handed after some end-to-end rugby from the start.
The home team set out their stall early and it was not long until they crossed for the opening score.
From a scrum that Gorey looked to have edged, the resulting play saw Simon O’Shea go over for a try. Joe Manuel added the conversion.
The Gorey response was quick, and within minutes Stephen Horan darted over after good play from the pack.
Kilkenny’s Joe Manuel added a penalty when Gorey were penalised in front of their posts.
With ten minutes left in the half, Kilkenny added a further try when Podge Mahon crossed.
Joe Manuel added the extras to take Kilkenny out to 17-5, and that was the way it stayed until half-time.
After the break Gorey came out with all guns blazing and phase after phase saw them lay siege to the home ‘22.
But the Kilkenny defence was not for yielding as they stood up for almost 20 minutes of non-stop pressure, with Stephen Horan eventually getting over in the corner to leave the score at 17-10.
Gorey were back in contention but Kilkenny lifted their game again and a brilliant individual try from Jason Connolly saw them extend their lead to 22-10, quickly followed by a Joe Manuel penalty.
This was a sucker punch for Gorey as they had worked so hard to get back into the game.
Gorey did manage to reduce the lead again when, after some good work, Darragh Bellanova crossed under the posts. Stephen Duke added the conversion.
But it was as near as Gorey were to get as Kilkenny added the bonus point in the final play when a slick move off a line-out saw Podge Mahon race in for a try.
Gorey can have no complaints as Kilkenny more than deserved their win.
Gorey now turn their attention to the Towns Cup as they welcome Portlaoise to Clonattin next Sunday with kick-off at 2.30 p.m.
Gorey: D. Bellanova, E. Badham, K. Browne, S. Gardiner (capt.), E. Horan, K. Breen, B. Mason, D. O’Leary, S. Horan, M. Duke, R. Harrington, J. Nolan, J. Rothwell, A. Walsh, S. Duke, T. Jameson, E. Walsh, J. Naughton, L. Stephens, B. O’Connor.