Luby kicks Gorey to victory
08/02/2015
Gorey could not have written the script for this game, if they tried, and the headline would have to be called the game of two kickers. Not alone was Gorey's outstanding home record on the line, a fixture that loomed large on the calendar all season had finally arrived and the result win or loose could define their standing for a long time to come.
This penultimate league fixture could not be more important as they welcomed one of their main rivals Malahide to Clonattin. With just two points separating both teams it was a winner takes all, as both are in search of the coveted runners up spot at the least, and hoping that somehow the league leaders Kilkenny slip up.
On what can only be described as the perfect night for rugby Malahide came with intent and started the game at an exceptional pace. The first chance fell to the visitors when they were awarded a penalty straight from the kick off, which they missed. Gorey immediately moved the ball deep into the Malahide 22 and forced a penalty which Shane Luby slotted for the opening score. That was probably as good it got for Gorey, as for the majority of the opening half it was all Malahide. During this spell they were rampant, and looked as if they could run away with the game. After twenty minutes, sustained Malahide pressure saw them work through the phases to finally cross the line to score the opening try, it was no more than they deserved despite a determined home defence. They added the two points to lead 7 3. Malahide kept attacking and ran the ball at every occasion but Gorey as usual were proving a hard nut to crack. With 10 minutes left in the half Malahide kicked a penalty to extend their lead to 10 3. As so often in matches and surviving on scraps, when you get the chance you have to take them and Gorey were to do just that. With minutes left on the clock the Gorey pack established a foothold in the Malahide 22 and after a number of phases Gorey's outstanding number 8 Geoff Dunne made huge ground down the right wing to be stopped just short but Michael Woods was on hand to go over in the corner. This score brought Gorey back to within two points, Luby was just wide with the conversion. On the stroke of halftime Malahide were then awarded another penalty, but worst for Gorey, they were reduced to fourteen men, again Malahide's kicker was just wide. The second half saw Gorey start well and put great pressure on the visitors. But as in the first half space was at a premium and defences were very much on top. Gorey made one of their few encroachments into the visitors half and forced a penalty for Shane Luby to kick to put Gorey in the lead for the first time. This game was now nip and tuck as both teams worked their socks off knowing that neither could afford to make a mistake. It was Malahide who continued to put on the pressure and on the twenty fifth minute went over for their second try to go in to the lead 13 11, but again they missed the conversion. The game was now moving into the final quarter with a lot of tired bodies on both sides. But it was the home team who were to finish the stronger with their never say die attitude. A turnover saw the quick thinking Shane Luby spot a gap to put the rampant Michael Woods through and the number 6 went straight for the Malahide line only to be stopped just short but in doing so Malahide conceded a penalty. Again all eyes were on Luby as he calmly stroked the ball between the posts to a huge cheer from the large home support. Again Malahide came back and were awarded a penalty but, again it sailed wide to the relief of the home support. The final minutes saw Gorey close out the game to win on a night that nearly always looked in doubt, but probably gives Gorey some consolation as they know only too well that results don't always go the way you expect.
Best for Gorey were Michael Woods Geoff Dunne and JP Redmond in the pack with Garrett Bater Sean Byrne and man of the match Shane Luby the pick of the backs.
Next up for Gorey is an away fixture in the Towns Cup against Clondalkin on February 22nd.
Team C Allen B O Connor R Deering
A Copeland JP Redmond F Bolger M Woods G Dunne G Bater S Luby A Walsh
S Byrne B Spears J Condren PJ Clince
J Mulligan A O Brien K Breen G Mullins B Horan
This penultimate league fixture could not be more important as they welcomed one of their main rivals Malahide to Clonattin. With just two points separating both teams it was a winner takes all, as both are in search of the coveted runners up spot at the least, and hoping that somehow the league leaders Kilkenny slip up.
On what can only be described as the perfect night for rugby Malahide came with intent and started the game at an exceptional pace. The first chance fell to the visitors when they were awarded a penalty straight from the kick off, which they missed. Gorey immediately moved the ball deep into the Malahide 22 and forced a penalty which Shane Luby slotted for the opening score. That was probably as good it got for Gorey, as for the majority of the opening half it was all Malahide. During this spell they were rampant, and looked as if they could run away with the game. After twenty minutes, sustained Malahide pressure saw them work through the phases to finally cross the line to score the opening try, it was no more than they deserved despite a determined home defence. They added the two points to lead 7 3. Malahide kept attacking and ran the ball at every occasion but Gorey as usual were proving a hard nut to crack. With 10 minutes left in the half Malahide kicked a penalty to extend their lead to 10 3. As so often in matches and surviving on scraps, when you get the chance you have to take them and Gorey were to do just that. With minutes left on the clock the Gorey pack established a foothold in the Malahide 22 and after a number of phases Gorey's outstanding number 8 Geoff Dunne made huge ground down the right wing to be stopped just short but Michael Woods was on hand to go over in the corner. This score brought Gorey back to within two points, Luby was just wide with the conversion. On the stroke of halftime Malahide were then awarded another penalty, but worst for Gorey, they were reduced to fourteen men, again Malahide's kicker was just wide. The second half saw Gorey start well and put great pressure on the visitors. But as in the first half space was at a premium and defences were very much on top. Gorey made one of their few encroachments into the visitors half and forced a penalty for Shane Luby to kick to put Gorey in the lead for the first time. This game was now nip and tuck as both teams worked their socks off knowing that neither could afford to make a mistake. It was Malahide who continued to put on the pressure and on the twenty fifth minute went over for their second try to go in to the lead 13 11, but again they missed the conversion. The game was now moving into the final quarter with a lot of tired bodies on both sides. But it was the home team who were to finish the stronger with their never say die attitude. A turnover saw the quick thinking Shane Luby spot a gap to put the rampant Michael Woods through and the number 6 went straight for the Malahide line only to be stopped just short but in doing so Malahide conceded a penalty. Again all eyes were on Luby as he calmly stroked the ball between the posts to a huge cheer from the large home support. Again Malahide came back and were awarded a penalty but, again it sailed wide to the relief of the home support. The final minutes saw Gorey close out the game to win on a night that nearly always looked in doubt, but probably gives Gorey some consolation as they know only too well that results don't always go the way you expect.
Best for Gorey were Michael Woods Geoff Dunne and JP Redmond in the pack with Garrett Bater Sean Byrne and man of the match Shane Luby the pick of the backs.
Next up for Gorey is an away fixture in the Towns Cup against Clondalkin on February 22nd.
Team C Allen B O Connor R Deering
A Copeland JP Redmond F Bolger M Woods G Dunne G Bater S Luby A Walsh
S Byrne B Spears J Condren PJ Clince
J Mulligan A O Brien K Breen G Mullins B Horan
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