Gorey U17s welcomed joint table-toppers Tullamore to Clonattin for their final game in Phase 2 on the Leinster League Division 1A.

A bright cool day greeted supporters and Gorey started with the wind and low winter sun on their backs. Gorey got off to a great start against the physically larger visitors and put them under pressure from the off. Cillian Tomkins spread the ball with speed pulling the Tullamore defence back and forth across the park.

Seán Wafer spotted a gap and kicked a fine ball over the defenders heads into the far corner, to give Gorey a lineout just outside the Tullamore 22 metre line. Toby Falconer threw a bullet that was gathered well by second-rower James Lawlor who quickly fed the ball out to the backs. Great interplay allowed Henry Kennedy to feed Number 8 Shane Stokes with a switch ball and there never any doubt about the powerful forward bursting the line to place the ball under the posts after just 10 minutes. Killian Pierce slotted over the conversion to put Gorey ahead 7 – 0.

Gorey kept on the pressure pinning Tullamore in their own 22 and it wasn’t long before the relentless work of the forwards, including superb rucking, led to another try, this time from flanker Liam Molloy. Gorey 12 – Tullamore 0.

A shell-shocked Tullamore never gave up and put Gorey under pressure over the next ten minutes or so as they tried to redress the balance. But Gorey played clever football with Sean Wafer again pinning them back into their own half with the punishing accuracy of his kicks. Dylan Sawyer put in some amazing tackles and won a lot of ball to eventually put Wafer in for a try of his own on the 28-minute mark. Gorey 17 – Tullamore 0.

For the remainder of the first half Gorey had to defend as Tullamore sent wave after wave of attack on the Gorey try-line. But defend well they did, as referee called time on the first half of this exciting game.

As the second half began the wind had now picked up and Gorey were now playing into the wind and the sun. The next score would be crucial and it was Tullamore who started the second half better, with Gorey now losing some of their shape and composure of the first half. Tullamore battled hard and were now causing Gorey serious problems. Tullamore’s hard work paid off 15 minutes into the second half as they broke Gorey’s line for a well-deserved try under the posts, which they converted to bring the score back to 17 – 7. The momentum was now with Tullamore as Gorey looked a little ragged and tried desperately to regain the dominance they has demonstrated earlier in the game.

Flynn Donnelly helped calm Gorey nerves as he gathered the ball in his own 22 and make a remarkable break beating several defenders as he made over 50 metres before being bundled into touch. Gorey built from here with superb passing with again the half back partnership of Tomkins and Kennedy orchestrating the advance.Toby Falconer threw some great balls in the subsequent lineouts and Gorey were dominating the set-pieces of lineouts and scrums. Gorey steadfastly advanced up the pitch until finally Kennedy and Stokes linked up again in a replica of the opening try of the game for Stoke to get his second and Gorey’s fourth try of the game. Gorey 24 – Tullamore 7.

But Tullamore weren’t finished yet and once again they defied the odds to fight back. Within five minutes of the last try they were back in Gorey’s 22 and causing the defensive line problems. Eventually Gorey’s line was breached and Tullamore got over for their second try of the day, which they expertly converted. Gorey 24 – Tullamore 14. Gorey’s Jack Ryan made a great solo run shortly afterwards displaying remarkable speed for a prop and got over the line only to be judged as held-up.

With just 7 minutes remaining some supporters were wondering if Tullamore might make an unlikely comeback, but Sean Wafer put paid to any thoughts of this with a great break to get his second try of the day to bring the final score to 29 – 14 to Gorey.

Gorey should be very happy with the bonus-point win, but even more so with their performance which showed just what they are capable of. Hats off to a game Tullamore side who never gave up and at times put Gorey under pressure.