Gorey Community School claimed a place in the Leinster Senior ‘B’ Post-primary school’s hurling championship final after they triumphed over Portlaoise CBS in Dr Cullen Park on Thursday last. The game unfolded as a fierce dual with winter weather conditions causing a dogged clash of strength and stamina. The first few minutes were evenly fought until Portlaoise edged out the Wexford defence. Darragh Nolan scrambled the ball into the Gorey net with seven minutes past. Ciarán McEvoy and Michéal Scully captivated on this huge start for the Midlanders with points. After Wexford team management, Conor Wickham, Rory McCarthy, George O’ Connor and Kevin Kennedy, adapted their skill set, the Green of Gorey were rejuvenated. Gavin Stamp pointed after thirteen minutes and this lay the foundations for the work of Conor McDonald. After two points from the county minor star, Eoin Conroy and Conor Devitt set up McDonald as he assailed the Laois defence and slotted the ball to the net of Eoin Carroll with twenty one minutes complete. The defence of Gorey showed great dexterity especially defenders Eoin Whelan, Ben Egan and Eoin Conroy. With a stunned Laois side, Conor McDonald added another flurry of scores with another golden goal and point. His work was honoured by points from Conor Devitt and Cathal Dunbar. Portlaoise, who had started the half in a domineering fashion, were silent for seventeen minutes scoring wise. This silence was ended by Ciarán O’ Brien’s pointed free just before the break. Gorey Community School deservingly led halftime on a scoreline of 2-06 to 1-03.
The second half commenced with surges of intense attack by Portlaoise’s Darragh Nolan, Cian Taylor and Ciarán O’ Brien. Nevertheless, Conor Devitt swiftly pointed before the forty fifth minute. In reply, Gary Ryan attacked the Gorey boundary once again and this time yielded a point. Substitute, Gearóid Cullen, ably assisted Conor Devitt for a point and Gavin Stamp maintained the Gorey lead also. Devitt was of an exceptional standard throughout the game because of his speedy foot work. A late revival for Portlaoise was in store for the sizeable audience in the closing ten minutes. After Ciarán O’ Brien pointed twice, he landed the ball into the path of Gary Ryan who managed to reap a goal for the Laois side. A second attempt by Ryan was halted by the Gorey ‘keeper, Darragh Hughes, who had a marvellous game. However, Gorey Community School held out until the bitter end to capture a spot in this year’s Leinster final. Their victory was deserving because of their diligence all over the field with every player committing themselves to several hooks and blocks. Despite a strong, tall and muscular outfit, the Portlaoise side bow out of the championship victimised by a Gorey Community School crusade of intent.
Full time scoreline: Gorey Community School 2-11; Portlaoise CBS 2-06.
GOREY CS: Darragh Hughes (Naomh Eanna), Sean O’ Brien (Craanford), Michael O’Brien (St Patricks, Camolin), Ben Egan (Naomh Eanna), Eoin Whelan (Buffers Alley), Eoin Conroy (Naomh Eanna), Daryl Murphy (St Patricks, Camolin), Fionn Doyle (Naomh Eanna), Cathal Dunbar 0-01 (Realt Na Mara), Conor McDonald 2-05 (0-03 from frees; Naomh Eanna), Kevin Molloy (Naomh Eanna), Conor Devitt 0-03 (Ballyfad), Gavin Stamp 0-02 (Liam Mellows), Yusuf Frih (Liam Mellows), Tomás Morris (St Patricks).
SUBS: David Kennedy for Morris (Naomh Eanna), Gearóid Cullen for Frih (Naomh Eanna), Michael Hamilton (St Patricks), Lee Owley (Tara Rocks), Marc Halpin (Liam Mellows), Alan McPartlan (Naomh Eanna), Ben McGrath (Realt Na Mara), Kevin Byrne (Liam Mellows), Peter Roche (St Patricks), Liam Condren (Liam Mellows) Rhys Owley (Tara Rocks), Michael Dwyer (Naomh Eanna), Jason Redmond (Naomh Eanna), Ross Murphy (Naomh Eanna), Eoin Harris (Naomh Eanna)
PORTLAOISE CBS: Eoin Carroll, Dylan Murphy, Martin Norton, Eoin Fenlon, Denis Cahill, Ciarán McEvoy(0-01; 65′) Chris Lynch Gary Bergin, Evan Caine, Ciarán O’ Brien(0-03; 1 free), Gary Ryan(1-01), Cian Taylor, Micheál Scully (0-01), Darragh Nolan (1-00), Cathal O’Connor.
