The U18.5 boys kicked off their Leinster Premier League campaign at home on Saturday, grinding out a hard-fought 18–10 win over a powerful Athy side in blustery conditions.
Playing into a strong wind in the first half, Gorey found themselves defending for long periods deep in their own 22 as Athy launched wave after wave of attack. Led by some huge defensive efforts up front, Gorey showed real grit to keep the visitors out and wait for their chances.

Against the run of play, Gorey finally broke from their half midway through the first period. Moving the ball wide, Charlie Webb crashed over in the corner on 25 minutes to open the scoring, 5–0. Shortly after, sustained pressure earned a penalty which Rory Cooper slotted to extend the lead to 8–0.

Athy continued to hammer away in the Gorey 22, but once again it was the home side who struck next. Deep into the half, Cooper made a superb, jinking run, zig-zagging through the Athy defence before linking with Webb, who in turn put Robin Sunderland away for a well-worked try under the posts. Athy, however, hit back right on the stroke of half time with a clever kick in behind from their out-half, gathered and finished by the full back to leave the interval score at 15–7to Gorey.

With the wind now at their backs, Gorey started the second half the brighter and enjoyed more territory and possession, but were slow to turn that dominance into points. Two missed penalties kept it a one-score game and gave Athy plenty of encouragement. Both sides came agonisingly close to further tries, with mauls over the line either held up or knocked on.
Athy kept battling and continued to ask questions of the Gorey defence, but another well-struck penalty from Rory Cooper pushed the lead out to 18–10, giving Gorey some much-needed breathing space going into the closing stages. The visitors threw everything at Gorey in the final minutes and camped once more in the home 22, but a crucial turnover and clearance to touch sealed a memorable opening-day win.

There were several standout performances across the park. Darragh O’Loughlin, carrying a knock, came on and put in some incredibly brave and hard carries in heavy traffic. Conor O’Shea came up with some crucial turnovers at key moments, relieving pressure and keeping Athy at bay when they looked dangerous. Harry Griffith stepped in at scrum-half and delivered quick, sharp ball to his backs, doing his chances of a starting spot no harm at all with a very composed display.

However, Man of the Match went to prop Diarmuid O’Shaughnessy, who was immense throughout – dominating the scrum, driving mauls forward, making huge carries and putting in some thunderous tackles that kept Athy honest all day.

A brilliant start to the Premier League season for this talented Gorey squad, who showed character, discipline and no shortage of skill to claim the win.
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