GOREY J1s PIPPED AT THE POST

Round three of the Leinster League saw Gorey host Kilkenny in a crucial match for both. Having both played Seapoint in their first two rounds and with both winning, a tight game was expected. And so it proved as the game went down to the wire with Kilkenny kicking a penalty in the 79th minute to take the spoils.

It was the home team who started the brighter as they took the game to Kilkenny with Steven Gardiner and Kevin Brown making hard yards. But as Gorey pummeled the Kilkenny line the visitors defended well for Gorey to come away with a Mark Kehoe penalty.

Kilkenny settled but within minutes were reduced to 14 for a high tackle. Gorey initially tried to use their numerical advantage but it was the visitors who were to benefit when sustained pressure saw them cross for a try under the posts to add the conversion.

The Gorey response did not take long and a clever break by Fionn O'Loughlin saw him run in under the posts for Mark Kehoe to take the score to 10 7.

Just before half-time Kilkenny had a chance to draw level but the ball drifted just wide.

The second half was an equally tight affair as both defenses proved hard to breakdown. Gorey probably shaded the territory overall but the game changing moment was in the 65th minute when Gorey were reduced to fourteen with a red card for a high tackle.

Kilkenny immediately took advantage and good pressure saw them score a try and convert to put four between the sides.

As happened in the first half and with four minutes to go Gorey restored their lead with sustained pressure and quick hands through the backs saw Dave Shannon cross for a try. Mark Kehoe was just wide with the conversion attempt.

This game was not over yet and when Gorey were penalised for holding on in the last minute Kilkenny landed a penalty to leave two between the sides at the final whistle.

This was a brilliant game with both sides battling hard right to the end. This very young Gorey team will be disappointed to have let the match slip at the death but know if they can turn possession into scores they will have better days ahead. Gorey had some good performances in the pack with Steven Gardiner, Tom Jameson & Kevin Browne the pick of the forwards. Mark Kehoe, Andrew Walsh and Man of the Match Mikey Duke showing well in the backs.

Gorey’s next match is at home to Dundalk on the 13th of October

GOREY TEAM
W Rothwell B O Connor K Browne T Jameson L Stevens D O Leary K Breen S Gardiner Capt. A Davies F O Loughlin F Donnelly M Kehoe A Walsh C Power M Duke J Rothwell J Mulligan S Hadden D Shannon L Molloy D McGrath