GOREY 19 CARLOW 17
Gorey rugby club U15's became the South East Champions in Clonlattin last Saturday in a tough and bruising encounter against a strong well organised and determined Carlow side. The match played on one of the best days weather wise this year was going to be a test of true grit character and fitness. With K.O. at I pm and with a great crowd in place the match got under way. Straight from the start Gorey went on the attack but it was Carlow after only a couple minutes broke through Gorey's backline defence and scored the first try in the corner.Gorey were awarded a penalty later and got 3 pts of their own however it was Carlow who had their heels up and were playing some nice rugby and a couple of minutes later broke through again to go 14 pts to 3 up. At this point the Gorey team were shelled shocked and could just as easily put their hands on their hips and switched off, but no the opposite happened knowing that they had been the beaten finalists last year in this competition and been so close on so many occasions in many Leinster Leagues etc, this team were determined to prove their true ability, and with some soul searching and team talking, they started to claw their way back into this game. Sometime later, after some good forward play a penalty was awarded and with pressure on him James Nolan slotted over the another 3 points for Gorey and marked the start of their come back. Another penalty was to follow and this brought the scores to 14pts to 6pts for Carlow at half time.
Gorey made a couple of substitutions and brought on Eoin Walsh to the scrum and Cathal O'Neill to the backline and returned after halftime knowing that this game was not over for them, straight from the restart got stuck in and with some great scrumaging by hooker JJ Earle Gorey began to win more ball and on a couple of occasions were stopped just short of the Carlow line. But after Carlow soaked up a lot of pressure they eventually gave in to a perfectly worked try from a lineout which Jack Cleary intercepted and made a break for the line and after 4 phases of play Josh White went over to score a superb try which was duly converted by James. The score now was 16pts to 14pts for Gorey and with their heads up Gorey were determined not to let this game slip away from them. With some excellent forward play by Harry Woods, Dermot Wildes and Charlie Wildes they battled bravely in the baking heat of the day and kept turning over balls they were not entitled to. However it was Carlow who scored next after been awarded a penalty for holding on on the ground and got 3 pts to bring the score to 17pts to 16pts in favour of Carlow. Gorey at this stage showed what team work is all about and with everybody working tirelessly to win ball they were rewarded with a penalty kick for offside on the 22 which with a silent crowd (Capt) James Nolan step up and slotted it over under some pressure. In a game this close this final whistle can never come to early and when it did their were great scenes of celebration all over the pitch. Great credit has to be paid to Carlow who put it up to Gorey in a brilliant game. The celebrations ended with Gorey been presented with the 'The John Byrne Cup' and medals for all players
Team: Josh White, Patrick Lancaster, Patrick Chapman, Micheal O'Brien, Gary Dowling, (Capt) James Nolan, Chris Martin, Zach Sinnott, Jack Cleary, Dermot Widles, Charlie Wildes, Harry Woods, Sean Mahon, JJ Earle, David Condren, Eoin Walsh, Cathal O' Neill, Aaron O'Rourke, Tom Sinnott, Senan Farrell, Robert Willoughby and Eric Lacey.
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