Gorey J1s Still Remain On Top

Gorey's Leinster League unbeaten run, which stretched back to December 2012, finally came to a halt on Friday night last. The score line of 23 - 5 just about sums up the night for the league leaders, when not much seemed to go right against a very focused Malahide team. 

On probably the worst pitch conditions this season, the visitors kicked off. A strong wind was blowing across the pitch and Gorey could have drawn first blood, but gave away a penalty just as the line beckoned. This unfortunately was to be a pattern that dogged the visitors on more than one occasion.

On the five minute mark Malahide were awarded a penalty which they scored to open their account. The next twenty minutes saw both sides attack and counter attack and on twenty minutes as Gorey spread the ball wide, but an opportune intercept saw the Malahide outside centre race from inside his own half to take the score to 10 - 0.

Gorey had their moments during the remainder of the first half, but the final pass or over enthusiasm seem to deny them when the chances did appear. Malahide took full advantage of this and with the halftime whistle almost sounding put a penalty into the corner. From the resulting lineout, Malahide mauled over to take the score to 17 0.

The second half started with a bang when Jeff Dunne pounced on the kick-off to run from the Gorey 22 to score a fine try, Shane Luby was unlucky with the conversion. This seemed to galvanise Malahide and for the next 20 minutes Gorey had to stand strong and defended as if their lives depended on it. A penalty for Malahide with such territorial advantage speaks more for the visitors defence and could come to define this league come the end of the season. Gorey again had some chances, but they were few. 

A further Malahide penalty sealed the game for the home team, for a well-deserved win. Gorey can have no complaints as on the night Malahide applied themselves with more energy and application. Gorey will need to learn from this reversal, as unlike cup games, the league will present opportunities to correct the things that go wrong in the individual matches. 

Gorey's next two games are at home against Carlow on Sunday 23rd and Newbridge on the 30th respectively. There is no game next weekend.

Team: J. Mulligan B.O Connor C. Allen A. Copeland J.P. Redmond J. Ahern D. Dunne B. Horan G. Bater S. Luby M. Bater N. Copeland J. Condren A. Walsh B. Spears F. Bolger D. Dunne G.Mullins