Gorey U17s vs Wicklow  - Sat 24^th Sept 2016

Gorey U17s travelled to Wicklow on a wet and windy Saturday morning to fulfil their South East League fixture.

This game was certain to be Gorey’s toughest test to date, as Wicklow’s team were one of the most successful last season and featured a number of Leinster youth representatives.

Wicklow started the game the stronger despite Gorey having the wind behind them. Gorey had to defend well to repel the Wicklow attacks, but they proved resolute and they gave Wicklow no chances to score.

Wicklow demonstrated intelligent kicking and constantly sent Gorey back into their 22 after each Gorey progress up the pitch. The resultant lineouts proved a lottery because of the strong wind and Gorey were penalised on a number of occasions by the referee for not throwing the ball in straight.

Flanker Alex Rothwell was having a great game when he sustained an injury late in the first half and had to make way for James Lawlor to start his first game of the season.

The first half ended in stalemate as neither team were able to penetrate the others strong defence.

Wicklow kicked off the second half with the benefit of the strengthening wind at their backs and immediately chased it up and won a lineout just metres from the  Gorey tryline.  This was the start of a period of sustained pressure by Wicklow, as Gorey remained camped on their try line and had put up an incredible defence to keep the home side out. The strong wind impeded several Gorey attempts to kick themselves out of the danger zone, as the ball spun back each time. Almost inevitably WIckolow finally got over the line for the first score of the game 13 minutes into the second half.

Wicklow 7 – Gorey 0

Just minutes later, while Gorey were trying to regroup, an untypical error allowed Wicklow’s outstanding outhalf to make a solo run and cut through Gorey’s previously stout defence to put Wicklow on the scoreboard once again.

Wicklow 12 – Gorey 0

Gorey went back to their task from the kick-off and now began to put Wicklow under pressure. The Gorey scrum performed well, with young prop Niall Kenny giving a great account of himself in this step up in class.

Henry Kennedy, now in his customary role at 10, initiated a number of great moves by Gorey and he fed newly introduced centre, Mark Boyle to make some good runs.

Prop Jack Ryan also carried great ball and proved very difficult to stop. Gorey were now on the front foot and on the hour mark Adam Byrne topped off a good performance by him by getting over for a Gorey try.

Wicklow 12 – Gorey 5 

Wicklow spectators anxiously checked their watches as Gorey continued to put the home side under pressure, but unfortunately there wasn’t enough time and the game ended with a deserved win to Wicklow 12 – 5.

This young Gorey team can be very proud of a fine performance against one of the best sides that they will encounter this season and with some players still to come back into the side the future looks bright.