Gorey got 2026 off to a winning start in the Southeast final, hosted by Tullow RFC on Saturday the 3rd of January.
The cold frosty weather led to a slightly delayed start due to frost on the 4G pitch.
Gorey came hard straight from the start, with pressure leading to 2 or 3 good chances early, cold hands and maybe some over eagerness resulting in missed opportunities.
It was the same for both teams and as such was a scrappy, stop start opening period, not helped by an injury to the ref leading to his replacement about 10 mins in.
Thomas and Sam were a real nuisance at ruck time disrupting Carlow's dangerous looking half-backs, Harry read it perfectly to intercept and slice through to score, adding the extras to lead 7-0.
After a couple of good scrum battles in mid field, Gorey's tackles leaked a lot of territory and despite a big close range defensive set on our line twice denying Carlow, they took their try well. 7-5.
The rest of the half was marked by numerous big tackles from Sam and Hugh and the start of Darragh's big impact off the bench on both sides of the ball particularly at ruck time, clearing threats like a man with a point to prove.
The intensity resumed after the break with a couple of notable carries from Darragh and Wafer topped with a long romp in for Thomas to score after 3 mins.12-5.
Around 10 mins into the half, a nicely worked backs move provided space and territory. A great big man rumble from Hugh topped by a mighty clear out from Darragh led to quick clean go-forward ball, Thomas picked and stormed up the pitch to claim his second, Harry converting.19-5.
Carlow had a bit of a purple patch for the next few minutes.
Harry had an important block on our own line leading to a turnover, a big Alex tackle and Finn turnover also preserved Gorey's line. Pressure finally told though and after a good kick deep into our 22 Carlow crossed for another try adding the conversion.19-12
From the restart Carlow again applied pressure in our 22. A huge effort by all and 4 or 5 big carries later, again quick go-forward ball was presented and who else but Thomas was on hand to pick and go eating up the very long 60 odd metres to score his 3rd.
Full time followed right after the restart. 24-12.
It was great to win the one that felt like it got away on us last year.
Not a perfect performance, but certainly you couldn't fault the boys for effort against a strong Carlow team, we will meet them again in a few weeks.
Man of the match this week just had to be shared amongst 3..
Thomas for his 3 well taken try's.
Hugh for another big shift both sides of the ball as we are coming to expect.
Darragh for massive impact off the bench and a return of the Doolan destruction.
Next week we start our league proper in the Premier Division.
The cold frosty weather led to a slightly delayed start due to frost on the 4G pitch.
Gorey came hard straight from the start, with pressure leading to 2 or 3 good chances early, cold hands and maybe some over eagerness resulting in missed opportunities.
It was the same for both teams and as such was a scrappy, stop start opening period, not helped by an injury to the ref leading to his replacement about 10 mins in.
Thomas and Sam were a real nuisance at ruck time disrupting Carlow's dangerous looking half-backs, Harry read it perfectly to intercept and slice through to score, adding the extras to lead 7-0.
After a couple of good scrum battles in mid field, Gorey's tackles leaked a lot of territory and despite a big close range defensive set on our line twice denying Carlow, they took their try well. 7-5.
The rest of the half was marked by numerous big tackles from Sam and Hugh and the start of Darragh's big impact off the bench on both sides of the ball particularly at ruck time, clearing threats like a man with a point to prove.
The intensity resumed after the break with a couple of notable carries from Darragh and Wafer topped with a long romp in for Thomas to score after 3 mins.12-5.
Around 10 mins into the half, a nicely worked backs move provided space and territory. A great big man rumble from Hugh topped by a mighty clear out from Darragh led to quick clean go-forward ball, Thomas picked and stormed up the pitch to claim his second, Harry converting.19-5.
Carlow had a bit of a purple patch for the next few minutes.
Harry had an important block on our own line leading to a turnover, a big Alex tackle and Finn turnover also preserved Gorey's line. Pressure finally told though and after a good kick deep into our 22 Carlow crossed for another try adding the conversion.19-12
From the restart Carlow again applied pressure in our 22. A huge effort by all and 4 or 5 big carries later, again quick go-forward ball was presented and who else but Thomas was on hand to pick and go eating up the very long 60 odd metres to score his 3rd.
Full time followed right after the restart. 24-12.
It was great to win the one that felt like it got away on us last year.
Not a perfect performance, but certainly you couldn't fault the boys for effort against a strong Carlow team, we will meet them again in a few weeks.
Man of the match this week just had to be shared amongst 3..
Thomas for his 3 well taken try's.
Hugh for another big shift both sides of the ball as we are coming to expect.
Darragh for massive impact off the bench and a return of the Doolan destruction.
Next week we start our league proper in the Premier Division.
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