GOREY 12 ASHBOURNE 12
Round 9 of the Leinster League 1A saw Gorey travel to Ashbourne last Saturday for a pulsating game that had everything including two yellow cards for the visitors that saw them reduced to 13 players in the space of two minutes.
Gorey can be both disappointed and relieved to come away with a share of the points.
Gorey started the brighter and could have scored with two minutes on the clock if a pass had stuck. But it was not long until they did score when Michael Duke crossed for what look like a perfect try only for the lineman’s to over-rule the referee who had awarded the try for a foot in touch.
Gorey kept up the pressure and dominated proceedings but could not unlock the Ashbourne defence.
Ashbourne eventually lifted the siege and worked their way into the Gorey 22 for the first time. After some good phases they were awarded a penalty. From the lineout they mauled over to eventually score; 5 – 0 to Ashbourne.
Gorey were not long in replying and were finally rewarded when Stephen Duke split the Ashbourne defence with a beautiful break to run in under the posts. James Nolan converted to put Gorey in front.
Gorey continued to press and should have extended their lead on at least two occasions and could have been out of sight at the break.
The second half saw Gorey extend their lead early as Ashbourne struggled to suppress some strong running by Gardiner and his pack and when Gorey moved the ball wide Eddie Horan went over in the corner for a well worked team try. Nolan was just wide with the conversion attempt. 12 – 5 to Gorey.
Ashbourne responded and really for the remainder of the half were in control. When Gorey were reduced to 13 men within the space of two minutes the signs looked ominous. But as so many teams have found the Gorey defence remained intact, with Ashbourne unable to find a way through for that period.
Ashbourne were now ramping up their effort and Gorey who had controlled most of the game were now under pressure and even when restored to the full complement discipline was costing them territory.
Ashbourne did get over, but Gorey somehow held them up. Eventually the Ashbourne pressure paid off and they crossed for a try in the corner when phase after phase finally broke down the visitors’ defence.
A superb conversion drew the teams level to set up a final nervous 10 minutes for Gorey as Ashbourne went for the winner.
Gorey held out to come away with a share of the spoils which keeps them in second place heading into the New Year.
Gorey had some good performances with James Nolan, Michael Duke and Steven Horan the pick of the backs. The forwards had some big performances too with Stephen Gardiner, Daragh O’Leary and Eddie Horan who was man of the match.
GOREY; D. Bellanova, B. O’Connor, K. Browne, S. Gardiner, (capt.), D. O’Leary, K. Breen, E. Horan, S. Hadden, S. Horan, S. Duke, J. Naughton, J. Nolan, J. Rothwell, A. Walsh, M. Duke, T. Jameson, C. Allen, G. Bater, B. Mason, L. Molloy, R. Harrington.

Gorey J2’s struggle in top of the table clash

Gorey J2’s made the trip to Meath on Saturday to take on league leaders Ashbourne in the Leinster Seconds Division 1A clash where Gorey were looking to keep up their excellent run of late and put a dent in the home teams point advantage.
It was the home team who dominated the proceedings in the opening half and raced into a dominant lead as Gorey struggled to quell the Ash attack.
Ashbourne crossed for three tries with two Cian Hadden penalties leaving the halftime score at 21 – 6.
Gorey had the strong breeze at their back and within minutes had reduced the Ashbourne lead with a further Hadden penalty.
In the second half Gorey grew in confidence and worked their way into the Ashbourne 22 more frequently. A big carry from Lloyd Stephens took Gorey into the Ashbourne half and several good phases later the pressure finally yielded a try when Lloyd Stephens went over. Hadden added the extra two points to close the gap and leave the score between the sides at 22 – 16.
But it was as near as Gorey were to get as a further penalty from the home team put the game beyond them.
Gorey had some good performances in the backs with Gareth Bater, David O’Neill and Robert Harrington the pick. Lloyd Stephens, Willy Rothwell and Cameron Reynolds showed well in the forwards.
GOREY; W. Rothwell, L. Molloy, D. Sawyer, L. Stephens, C. Reynolds, N. Cousins, E. Walshe, B. Mason, G. Bater, S. Hadden, A. O’Brien, E. Buckley, D. O’Neill, R. Harrington, B. Brooks, R. Brooks, G. Bater, J. Mulligan, R. Deering, J. Willoughby, Z. Sinnott.