Kilkenny RFC  10 – 32 Gorey RFC

Gorey RFC Under 14’s continued their Leinster Premier League Campaign travelling to Kilkenny RFC last Saturday afternoon.
Following a recent spell of improving form with Leinster League victories over Tullow, Naas and Boyne, Gorey were fired up for this one.

Played in driving rain and storm conditions this encounter was never going to be a pretty affair
with the home team kicking off with a massive wind advantage for the first half. Gorey showed patience gathering well and
attacking Kilkenny with powerful forward phase play taking them deep into the home side’s half. No 8 Lloyd Stephens, prop Dylan Slator and
loose head Tom Cleary drove over the gainline repeatedly to control play on the 22. After five phases No 9 Charlie McGuckin flashed ball wide for left wing Conor O Toole
to cross with ease for Gorey’s opener. Gorey dominated the opening exchanges but a lapse of concentration on half way left the Kilkenny No 8 in for the softest of tries on ten minutes. Kilkenny converted to lead 7-5 to the delight of the home supporters. Gorey replied within minutes with Fionn O’Loughlin finishing off superb work in the loose by
centre Eoin Molloy, prop Dylan Slator and wing Jack Minogue.

Kilkenny landed a penalty 4 minutes later to see the teams level 10-10 approaching the 20 minute mark. Gorey were showing confident handling and support skills
in the terrible conditions and were getting well on top as half time approached. Superb tries by Dylan Slator and Lloyd Stephens sent Gorey in 20-10 to the good
which was an extraordinary display playing as they were into a gale force wind. Gorey’s interplay between forwards and backs, defensive line speed and commitment
in the tackle and at the breakdown gave us a glimpse of the potential of this talented group.

Starting the second half with the wind at their backs Gorey needed only 3 minutes to cross the tryline with Liam Molloy crashing the Kilkenny cover on
the 22 to score a superb individual effort under the posts. Killian Pierce added the points 27-10 to Gorey. Gorey camped in the Kilkenny half for most of the second half
with handling errors and weather causing their attack to breakdown with the line at their mercy. Scrum half Charlie McGuckin however capped a superb
performance with a try on 50 minutes. This one coming off a 10m scrum and was set-up by fantastic forward work by Lloyd Stephens, Shane Stokes and Cameron Reynolds.

32-10 and that’s how this one finished. Gorey had opportunity on four or more occasions in the closing quarter but the
worsening gale force wind and torrential rain put paid to the best of their efforts. This was as good a performance as this squad has produced and
sets them up well for the latter stages of the competition in the New Year. Our entire travelling squad played their part in
this impressive win and well done to all.

Final score Kilkenny RFC  10 – 32 Gorey RFC

Many thanks to Kilkenny RFC, match officials and to all supporters in attendance who added greatly to the very sporting
atmosphere in which the game was played. A special thanks to the Kilkenny clubhouse team for the refreshments served after the match.

Gorey Team. 1. Tom Cleary Capt., 2 Andy Kinsella, 3. Dylan Slator, 4. Cameron Reynolds, 5. Sean Bardon, 6. Shane Stokes, 7. Liam Molloy, 8. Lloyd Stephens, 9. Charlie McGuckin, 10. Fionn O’Loughlin, 11. Conor O’Toole, 12. Eoin Molloy, 13. Joseph Naughton, 14. Jack Minogue, 15. Killian Pierce.
Replacements: Tom Higgins, Carl Clarke, Jack O’Mahony, Eoin Buckley, Lorcan O’Donovan, P.J. Barnes, Charles McCann, Cathal O’Reilly, Michael Duke, Max Bursey.