GOREY J1S KEEP IN TOUCH

Last September the most optimistic Gorey supporter would have settled for survival in their first season of Division 1A rugby. Gorey have been the surprise package this season and, over the last five years, have come through the divisions to take the Division 1A title down to the wire with their near neighbours Enniscorthy, who just a few short weeks ago looked like runaway winners. The penultimate league game of the season saw Gorey travel to Kilkenny last Saturday. The Foulkstown venue has always been a difficult venue for the visitors, but nothing short of a win was required to keep them in contention for the league. Gorey went into the game on the back of a comfortable home win to Kilkenny earlier in the campaign, but the home team have upped their game immensely over the last few months and as usual would be a hard nut to crack.

The game kicked off with Kilkenny starting the better of the two as Gorey were at sorts and struggled to get their phases working. The home team moved the ball with purpose and on 15 minutes a late tackle on the Kilkenny winger by Shane O Leary saw him sin binned. The resulting penalty saw Kilkenny secure the lineout and an excellent maul saw them drive for the line for number 8 David O Connor to score. Gorey did well for the next 10 minutes to keep Kilkenny scoreless. But on the 30th minute Gorey started to put the phases together and persistent pressure saw them awarded a penalty try after a number of Kilkenny infringements. Stephen Dukes converted. Gorey were starting to get a foothold in the scrums and with minutes left in the half good work by the forwards saw Duke move the ball through the backs for Shane O Leary to go over in the corner. 12 - 5 was how it was at halftime.

The second half saw Kilkenny pack come more into the game and put pressure on the visitors. They maintained this pressure for the opening quarter and a try by Simon O Shea, and converted by Rory McEnerney, saw the sides level at 12 all. The Gorey response was swift as they put some good phases together and the lead was restored when Jordan Aherne touched down for a try, a brilliant kick saw Stephen Duke convert from the touch line. Gorey were now in bonus point territory but indiscipline at crucial stages denied them as they went in search of the fourth try.

Gorey, while winning, will feel they left this behind but to come away with a win in Kilkenny is not often achieved. The league will still go down to the last day with Enniscorthy on 51 points and Gorey on 50. Next Saturday sees Gorey entertain Clondalkin, in Clonattin, in the final game with kick off at 3pm. Gorey had some good performers in the backs with Stephen Duke and Andrew Walshe showing well while Darragh Belanova, Fergal Bolger and Jordan Aherne showed well in the forwards.

Team - D. Gregan F. Bolger D.Bellanova A.Copeland W. Earl JP Redmond J P Ahern D Carroll G Bater S Duke S O Leary M Bater E Walsh A Walsh C Power P De Barra B Horan S Byrne C Allen