On Friday 10.10 our under 14 girls kicked off their Leinster League campaign under the lights away to our neighbouring team Arklow. An anxious and nervous game ensued as the girls looked for their first win of the season.
An unfortunate start saw them go 12 0 down with a converted try and try scored within the first few minutes. With 7 minutes left in the first half Gorey's number 3, Jessie Milligan Huzevkova went over for the 5 points with Darcie Bailey our number 10 converting it before Holly Browne our number 6 crossing for another try with 3 minutes left in the first half and with Darcie converting the same. Making it 12 14 just on the cusp of half time Arklow crossed for a try. Arklow should have had another try but their linesman raised his flag too early giving Gorey the line out as the ref blew his whistle.
With Arklow leading 19 12 going into the second half Gorey kept their head high with Ciara Nagle our number 9 crossing for a try 2 minutes into the 2nd half and with our captain and number 12 Rosie Ryan adding another 5 to the Gorey score 3 minutes later and Darcie converting it. With Gorey leading 24 19 Jessie crossed for her second of the night 9 minutes into the second half and Darcie once again converting it. Less than 3 minutes later our number 5, Elsie Noctor crossed to add another try. Gorey slowed their paces for a couple of minutes with Arklow scoring a try closing the gap ever so slightly to Gorey 36 Arklow 24 the scoring stopped there for Arklow but Gorey with 2 and half minutes left saw Holly go over for her second try of the night followed by Ruby Cowap Goreys number 11 crossing and Darcie converting it. Arklow kicked off with Gorey taking the ball, passing it to Darcie Bailey who kicked the ball into touch as the ref Mike Nagle blew the final whistle. Gorey coming off victorious with a final score of GOREY 50 Arklow 24.
Gorey celebrations ensued with parents, coaches and of course the players. It was a hard fought game that saw the girls pour their heart and soul into it. On the final whistle Rosie Ryan commented about how it was the first match the girls managed to put everything from training into play on the night. The ball handling, carrying and kicking from Gorey was the best seen this season and the scoreboard was exactly what the girls deserved on the night. An emotional player of the match Jessie Milligan Huzevkova was awarded with her handmade medal by Coach Niall McCann and her gift bag of treats from manager Kersee Rynhart. Team on the night was: 1. Kayla Flynn, 2. Jessica Blackwell, 3. Jessie, 4. Megan Bailey, 5. Elsie, 6. Holly, 7. Caoimhe McCann, 8. Ciara Kinsella, 9. Ciara, 10. Darcie, 11. Ruby, 12. Rosie (C), 13. Amelia Lacey, 14. Mia O'Doherty, 15. Faye Warren, 16. Abbey Jones, 17. Kila Doherty, 18. Ciara Doherty 19. Ciara Hughes with Elly Rynhart Kenny injured on the night.
