Charlie Tector missed a late conversion as Terenure College held on for a remarkable 20-18 victory against Lansdowne in the Division 1A semi-final clash at Lakelands.

Adam Lagrue looked to have sealed the win for the hosts, after crashing over in the 77th minute. However, Lansdowne weren’t to be deterred as Sean Galvin latched onto a cross field kick to reduce the deficit to two moments later, but Terenure held on for the win. Tector’s two missed kicks proved pivotal as Terenure held on for arguably their biggest win in history. 

The win means Terenure have earned their first playoff win, after defeats in 2015 and 2018 and as a result have earned their first AIL finals appearance. Terenure will square off with Clontarf, who breezed past Cork Constitution 29-13 at Castle Avenue in the other semi-final.  

As for Lansdowne, their season ends in disappointment. The visitors lost five of their last six games, ending the season wondering what could have been. While Terenure head into the playoff final full of confidence, after winning 14 of their last 15 games. 

The hosts started strongly as Caolan Dooley’s early penalty gave Terenure College an early 3-0 lead, and the winger quickly added to his tally minutes later as he made it 6-0 after 14 minutes.

Dooley added his third penalty of the afternoon moments later as the hosts made it 9-0, before Charlie Tector reduced the deficit to 9-3. Dooley and Tector traded penalties before the break to make it 12-6 at halftime. 

Lansdowne started the second half strongly as Tector crashed over from close range to give the visitors a slender 12-13 lead. Terenure looked for a quick response, but couldn’t find a way through a determined Lansdowne defensive line.

However, the hosts took a slender lead into the final 10 minutes thanks to Dooley’s fifth penalty, before Lagrue raced in to give the hosts a 20-13 lead. 

Dooley’s missed conversion left the door open for Lansdowne, and they almost made Terenure pay as Galvin scored in the corner. However, Tector’s missed conversion booked Terenure’s place in next weekend’s final.