It was a dry and brisk match day for the U16 girls who welcomed Portlaoise to Gorey for the fourth round of phase 2 of the Leinster League, premiership level.
The first half had big swings, started by the visitors who in their first possession worked the ball to the side, broke free down the line and scored between the posts, 0-7. Five minutes later the girls were right back in the game; Orla was stopped just short of the try-line as part of a lineout move and then the girls quickly moved the ball wide and Ciara ran in to score a try, 5-7. Portlaoise then got 2 tries leaving the score 5-19, which left them with a great lead after 15 minutes.
The next score started with a penalty to Gorey around the halfway line, a super kick resulted in a lineout well inside the Portlaoise 22 to put Gorey in an attacking position. Following a scrum and runs at the try-line by Aoibhin, Dearbhail and Jessica, Emer crossed the line for a try and then knocked over the conversion. From the kickoff, Gorey broke through the Portlaoise lines and Ciara ran in to score a great try, 17-19 now. Minutes later Aoibhin then through to score a super try between the posts 24-19. The first half ended with Portlaoise pressure in the Gorey 22, but Gorey turned over the ball which allow Emer to clear their lines.
Five minutes into the second half, Gorey had a lineout on the Portlaoise 22 line, the ball was passed out to Emer who’s run was stopped just short of the try-line; Aoibhin followed up broke through for her second try. This left Gorey 2 scores ahead at 29-19. The next 15 minutes was full of great play by both sides but no scores. Finally Portlaoise broke through to score a try and conversion, leaving Gorey 3 points ahead. The final 5 minutes were tense with the match in the balance. Twice Portlaoise broke through down the sideline but were pushed out with try saving tackles by Aoibhin and Roisin. The girls showed great fight and determination and held on for a well-deserved win, 29-26.
It was a fabulous match, and the win was all the better as Portlaoise were a strong team who played well and only 3 months ago won against us in the league. It was a comeback matched by Leinster against Bath later that day.
So many players had a great game, Player of the Match was a difficult choice, and it went to Emer for her general play and kicking that gained loads of ground.
Next week, the team are travelling to Mullingar.
Team: Aobh Cadogan, Lily Nagle, Ellen Dixon, Orla Doheny, Jessicia Foley, Dearbhail Gregan, Siera Kennedy, Aoibhin Ryan, Nika Murnane, Emer Ivanoff, Zoe Darcy, Amy O’Brien, Ciara Byrne, Liliana Gawronska, Roisin Hogan.
Subs: Aisling Rooney, Aoife Deacon, Mia Doherty.
The first half had big swings, started by the visitors who in their first possession worked the ball to the side, broke free down the line and scored between the posts, 0-7. Five minutes later the girls were right back in the game; Orla was stopped just short of the try-line as part of a lineout move and then the girls quickly moved the ball wide and Ciara ran in to score a try, 5-7. Portlaoise then got 2 tries leaving the score 5-19, which left them with a great lead after 15 minutes.
The next score started with a penalty to Gorey around the halfway line, a super kick resulted in a lineout well inside the Portlaoise 22 to put Gorey in an attacking position. Following a scrum and runs at the try-line by Aoibhin, Dearbhail and Jessica, Emer crossed the line for a try and then knocked over the conversion. From the kickoff, Gorey broke through the Portlaoise lines and Ciara ran in to score a great try, 17-19 now. Minutes later Aoibhin then through to score a super try between the posts 24-19. The first half ended with Portlaoise pressure in the Gorey 22, but Gorey turned over the ball which allow Emer to clear their lines.
Five minutes into the second half, Gorey had a lineout on the Portlaoise 22 line, the ball was passed out to Emer who’s run was stopped just short of the try-line; Aoibhin followed up broke through for her second try. This left Gorey 2 scores ahead at 29-19. The next 15 minutes was full of great play by both sides but no scores. Finally Portlaoise broke through to score a try and conversion, leaving Gorey 3 points ahead. The final 5 minutes were tense with the match in the balance. Twice Portlaoise broke through down the sideline but were pushed out with try saving tackles by Aoibhin and Roisin. The girls showed great fight and determination and held on for a well-deserved win, 29-26.
It was a fabulous match, and the win was all the better as Portlaoise were a strong team who played well and only 3 months ago won against us in the league. It was a comeback matched by Leinster against Bath later that day.
So many players had a great game, Player of the Match was a difficult choice, and it went to Emer for her general play and kicking that gained loads of ground.
Next week, the team are travelling to Mullingar.
Team: Aobh Cadogan, Lily Nagle, Ellen Dixon, Orla Doheny, Jessicia Foley, Dearbhail Gregan, Siera Kennedy, Aoibhin Ryan, Nika Murnane, Emer Ivanoff, Zoe Darcy, Amy O’Brien, Ciara Byrne, Liliana Gawronska, Roisin Hogan.
Subs: Aisling Rooney, Aoife Deacon, Mia Doherty.
