Match Report: North Kildare RFC vs Gorey RFC – U15 Leinster League, Round 6
Final Score: Gorey 38 – North Kildare 14
On Saturday 15th, the U15 boys travelled to face North Kildare RFC in Round 6 of their Leinster League campaign on what began as a very wet and windy morning. Fortunately, conditions eased just in time for kick-off.
North Kildare got the game underway, but despite the greasy ball Gorey secured possession confidently and made early inroads. The hosts were relentless at the breakdown, challenging fiercely for turnover ball, but the Gorey pack held firm. Playing to the conditions, the forwards carried hard and tight before clean ruck ball allowed scrum-half Tyler Klopper to spread it wide. Slick hands through the backline sent centre Aidan Brennan over for the opening try, with Olly adding the conversion.
North Kildare responded with increased pressure, eventually winning a penalty for holding on. They kicked to the corner, built phases, and crossed for a converted try to level the match.
Gorey’s restart intensity was immediate. Under pressure deep in their own 22, the North Kildare out-half attempted a long clearance to touch. Fullback Finn O’Brien reacted brilliantly, leaping to keep the ball in play and feeding No.8 Charlie Kennedy, who powered forward before offloading to winger Sam Gough to finish. Unfortunately, the initial tap-back was judged to have drifted forward, and the score was disallowed.
Ten tense minutes followed with neither side yielding. A dominant Gorey scrum in the opposition half freed Charlie down the blindside, releasing winger Zach Curren, who was bundled into touch just short of the line. The referee ruled the ball last touched by North Kildare, giving skipper Andy Jones the chance to throw to lock Hugh Sherriff, who set a powerful lineout maul. With defenders tied in, the ball went through every pair of hands in the backline until Sam finished clinically in the corner. Olly converted from the sideline.
Sam wouldn’t get long to catch his breath though, when moments later, from the restart, flanker Donnachadh Kearney burst through several tackles and offloaded one-handed to the charging Sam, who crossed again for his second try, with Olly perfect from the tee again.
North Kildare mounted pressure of their own, but Gorey’s defence stood tall. A trademark moment from flanker Jimmy Collier turned the tide—after smashing an attacker with a dominant tackle, he released, jackalled, and stole the ball despite three counter-ruckers over him. The turnover sparked a sweeping counter-attack finished by fullback Finn in the far corner to close out the first half.
Second Half
Fresh legs brought renewed tempo. North Kildare struck first with excellent handling releasing their fullback out wide, and their out-half nailed a near-impossible conversion from the touchline.
Gorey responded immediately, pinning the hosts inside their 22. Relentless defensive pressure earned a penalty, and the forwards carried hard before the ball was worked wide to Sam, who claimed his third try of the match.
Another scoreless spell followed, with both teams battling across all facets of the game. Gorey’s superiority at the set piece eventually told, and after sustained pressure and great teamwork, Donnachadh Kearney powered over for a well-deserved try, converted once more by Olly.
In the closing stages, wholesale changes were made but the intensity didn’t drop. Replacement flanker Zach Rath showcased his pace to streak over for his first try of the season, with stand-in out-half Adam Deacon landing an excellent conversion.
Both teams produced a highly entertaining contest in difficult weather. Gorey displayed excellent physicality, teamwork, and composure to secure a convincing and well-earned victory.
Final Score: Gorey 38 – North Kildare 14
Final Score: Gorey 38 – North Kildare 14
On Saturday 15th, the U15 boys travelled to face North Kildare RFC in Round 6 of their Leinster League campaign on what began as a very wet and windy morning. Fortunately, conditions eased just in time for kick-off.
North Kildare got the game underway, but despite the greasy ball Gorey secured possession confidently and made early inroads. The hosts were relentless at the breakdown, challenging fiercely for turnover ball, but the Gorey pack held firm. Playing to the conditions, the forwards carried hard and tight before clean ruck ball allowed scrum-half Tyler Klopper to spread it wide. Slick hands through the backline sent centre Aidan Brennan over for the opening try, with Olly adding the conversion.
North Kildare responded with increased pressure, eventually winning a penalty for holding on. They kicked to the corner, built phases, and crossed for a converted try to level the match.
Gorey’s restart intensity was immediate. Under pressure deep in their own 22, the North Kildare out-half attempted a long clearance to touch. Fullback Finn O’Brien reacted brilliantly, leaping to keep the ball in play and feeding No.8 Charlie Kennedy, who powered forward before offloading to winger Sam Gough to finish. Unfortunately, the initial tap-back was judged to have drifted forward, and the score was disallowed.
Ten tense minutes followed with neither side yielding. A dominant Gorey scrum in the opposition half freed Charlie down the blindside, releasing winger Zach Curren, who was bundled into touch just short of the line. The referee ruled the ball last touched by North Kildare, giving skipper Andy Jones the chance to throw to lock Hugh Sherriff, who set a powerful lineout maul. With defenders tied in, the ball went through every pair of hands in the backline until Sam finished clinically in the corner. Olly converted from the sideline.
Sam wouldn’t get long to catch his breath though, when moments later, from the restart, flanker Donnachadh Kearney burst through several tackles and offloaded one-handed to the charging Sam, who crossed again for his second try, with Olly perfect from the tee again.
North Kildare mounted pressure of their own, but Gorey’s defence stood tall. A trademark moment from flanker Jimmy Collier turned the tide—after smashing an attacker with a dominant tackle, he released, jackalled, and stole the ball despite three counter-ruckers over him. The turnover sparked a sweeping counter-attack finished by fullback Finn in the far corner to close out the first half.
Second Half
Fresh legs brought renewed tempo. North Kildare struck first with excellent handling releasing their fullback out wide, and their out-half nailed a near-impossible conversion from the touchline.
Gorey responded immediately, pinning the hosts inside their 22. Relentless defensive pressure earned a penalty, and the forwards carried hard before the ball was worked wide to Sam, who claimed his third try of the match.
Another scoreless spell followed, with both teams battling across all facets of the game. Gorey’s superiority at the set piece eventually told, and after sustained pressure and great teamwork, Donnachadh Kearney powered over for a well-deserved try, converted once more by Olly.
In the closing stages, wholesale changes were made but the intensity didn’t drop. Replacement flanker Zach Rath showcased his pace to streak over for his first try of the season, with stand-in out-half Adam Deacon landing an excellent conversion.
Both teams produced a highly entertaining contest in difficult weather. Gorey displayed excellent physicality, teamwork, and composure to secure a convincing and well-earned victory.
Final Score: Gorey 38 – North Kildare 14
