On Saturday the 6th, the U15 boys travelled to Navan for Round 8 of their Leinster League campaign. With rain falling steadily and the ground heavy underfoot, conditions were far from ideal — but the game that followed was every inch the premier clash it promised to be.
Gorey received the opening kick-off and were immediately reminded why Navan have enjoyed such strong recent form. The home side’s defensive line was sharp and punishing, with hits flying in and every breakdown fiercely contested. What followed was a bruising, scoreless opening spell defined by powerful carries and uncompromising tackles from both sides. Two scrums and a lineout punctuated the period, with the Gorey pack showing real dominance, stealing opposition ball more than once.
At the nineteen-minute mark, deep inside their own five-metre area, a muddy ball slipped loose from a tightly contested ruck. Navan reacted instantly, pouncing on the opportunity and grounding the ball under the posts from short range, giving themselves the simplest of conversions to open the scoring.
Gorey responded brilliantly. From the restart they pinned Navan inside their own half, showcasing their own defensive steel with committed tackles across the pitch. Another stolen lineout set the platform for momentum, and with Navan absorbed in defending the onslaught, scrum-half Tyler Klopper spotted space. A sharp snipe and some slick footwork later, he crossed in the corner. Outhalf Olly Syme stepped up and nailed a superb touchline conversion to level the game. The remainder of the half delivered more of the same — heavy collisions, tight contests, and neither side willing to yield. The teams went into the break locked together.
The second half opened with Gorey gathering the kick-off and working their way into Navan territory, battling for every metre across a ten-minute spell. Navan then showcased their own defensive strength, stripping the ball in contact and launching a deep kick into the Gorey half. Under pressure, Gorey secured possession and attempted to clear, but the kick was quickly returned by the Navan fullback. In the chase for the bouncing ball, Gorey were adjudged to have obstructed, and Navan were awarded a penalty try — 14–7 to the hosts.
Determined to respond, Gorey went back on the attack from the restart. A thunderous sequence of tackles jarred the ball loose from Navan, giving captain Andy Jones and his pack perfect attacking position. From the base of a dominant scrum, No. 8 Charlie Kennedy charged forward, punching holes and setting up clean ball. Despite the slippery conditions, Gorey’s handling was exceptional, and the ball found its way to winger Sam Gough, who still had plenty to do before finishing brilliantly in the corner. Syme converted again with precision, bringing the sides level at 14–14.
Navan answered strongly from the restart, but Gorey — with victory now firmly in their sights — met them with equal intensity. After another well-executed lineout, Gorey set a powerful maul before spinning the ball wide. Aidan Brennan spotted space and dinked a clever kick behind the rushing Navan line. His committed chase and some deft footballing skills — the kind you’d expect in a Champions League match — saw him win the race and touch down, giving Gorey a 19–14 lead with five minutes remaining.
From the restart, Gorey went all-out, seizing every opportunity to break the Navan defence. Precise close-quarter passing and clinical rucking forced Navan into a breakdown infringement, earning Gorey a penalty from 25 metres out. Brennan, brimming with confidence, stepped up and coolly slotted the final kick of the match, sealing a hard-fought 22–14 victory in a thrilling and fiercely contested encounter.
Gorey received the opening kick-off and were immediately reminded why Navan have enjoyed such strong recent form. The home side’s defensive line was sharp and punishing, with hits flying in and every breakdown fiercely contested. What followed was a bruising, scoreless opening spell defined by powerful carries and uncompromising tackles from both sides. Two scrums and a lineout punctuated the period, with the Gorey pack showing real dominance, stealing opposition ball more than once.
At the nineteen-minute mark, deep inside their own five-metre area, a muddy ball slipped loose from a tightly contested ruck. Navan reacted instantly, pouncing on the opportunity and grounding the ball under the posts from short range, giving themselves the simplest of conversions to open the scoring.
Gorey responded brilliantly. From the restart they pinned Navan inside their own half, showcasing their own defensive steel with committed tackles across the pitch. Another stolen lineout set the platform for momentum, and with Navan absorbed in defending the onslaught, scrum-half Tyler Klopper spotted space. A sharp snipe and some slick footwork later, he crossed in the corner. Outhalf Olly Syme stepped up and nailed a superb touchline conversion to level the game. The remainder of the half delivered more of the same — heavy collisions, tight contests, and neither side willing to yield. The teams went into the break locked together.
The second half opened with Gorey gathering the kick-off and working their way into Navan territory, battling for every metre across a ten-minute spell. Navan then showcased their own defensive strength, stripping the ball in contact and launching a deep kick into the Gorey half. Under pressure, Gorey secured possession and attempted to clear, but the kick was quickly returned by the Navan fullback. In the chase for the bouncing ball, Gorey were adjudged to have obstructed, and Navan were awarded a penalty try — 14–7 to the hosts.
Determined to respond, Gorey went back on the attack from the restart. A thunderous sequence of tackles jarred the ball loose from Navan, giving captain Andy Jones and his pack perfect attacking position. From the base of a dominant scrum, No. 8 Charlie Kennedy charged forward, punching holes and setting up clean ball. Despite the slippery conditions, Gorey’s handling was exceptional, and the ball found its way to winger Sam Gough, who still had plenty to do before finishing brilliantly in the corner. Syme converted again with precision, bringing the sides level at 14–14.
Navan answered strongly from the restart, but Gorey — with victory now firmly in their sights — met them with equal intensity. After another well-executed lineout, Gorey set a powerful maul before spinning the ball wide. Aidan Brennan spotted space and dinked a clever kick behind the rushing Navan line. His committed chase and some deft footballing skills — the kind you’d expect in a Champions League match — saw him win the race and touch down, giving Gorey a 19–14 lead with five minutes remaining.
From the restart, Gorey went all-out, seizing every opportunity to break the Navan defence. Precise close-quarter passing and clinical rucking forced Navan into a breakdown infringement, earning Gorey a penalty from 25 metres out. Brennan, brimming with confidence, stepped up and coolly slotted the final kick of the match, sealing a hard-fought 22–14 victory in a thrilling and fiercely contested encounter.
