Sporting excitement in Gorey has reached fever pitch with today’s announcement that former Gorey rugby stalwart Paul Boyle has signed his first professional contract with Connacht after impressing for Andy Friend’s side since making his debut earlier this year.
The 21-year-old from Kiltennel, Gorey, who showed early prowess with the ‘mini’s’at Clonattin has made seven appearances for Connacht this term after making his debut away to Munster last season.
Having excelled at football with Castletown G.A.A. Club, Boyle found the pressure in playing for both codes a bit too much, and decided to opt for the oval ball as his first sporting choice and graduated to Leinster level and had many outstanding games with his club.

Sean O’Brien presents Paul Boyle with the Gorey RFC under 15 ‘Player of the Year’ Award in May 2012. The pair played against each other when Connacht played Leinster this year.

Boyle captained the Ireland Under-20 side at the World Rugby Championship and has been part of the Connacht Academy since 2017.
Connacht coach Andy Friend said; “He is a big powerful player who shows real maturity both in how he plays the game and how he conducts himself off the field. He will be an important player for us in the coming seasons.”
Boyle said he is “hugely proud” to sign the new contract that will see him remain at the Sportsground until the end of the 2020-21 season.
Boyle is fondly remembered at Gorey Rugby Club, Gorey Community School and Castletown GAA Club and a spokesperson for the rugby club recalled that Paul comes from “a good all round family and his younger brother Mark is making the right noises,” so there be even better to come in the years ahead.
WexfordToday.com is informed that Gorey had two players in top contention for the No.8 shirt – Paul Boyle and Robin Copeland, who played for Cardiff and Munster and was named ‘Player of the Year’ and is also part of the Connacht squad.
It has been a great sporting year for Gorey. The highlights includes Naomh Éanna’s first county senior hurling championship, Gorey Rangers won the Wexford Cup Final at Ferrycarrig Park in May, and Niall ‘Basil’ Kennedy’s international boxing career is maintaining and upward championship stride.