Terenure have beaten Clontarf 50-24 in a replay of last year’s AIL Division 1A Final in the Aviva Stadium. Two tries at the end of the first half fired Terenure into the lead, where they didn’t look back.

The boot of Caolean Dooley was vital in Terenure securing their first ever AIL Division 1A Championship.

It was a first half that certainly lived up to all epic expectations, with two tries scored by either side. It was the defending champions Clontarf who got off to a brighter start, as they looked to dominate Terenure physically.

In the opening half, Clontarf had the better of the Terenure scrum, earning three penalties from the set play.

After a Caolan Dooley penalty gave Terenure an early lead, Clontarf fired back just nine minutes later through Aitzol Arenzana King, who defied the odds to fly in for a score in the corner.

Under immense pressure, King dived towards the try line from two meters out, his momentum propelling him over the try line in what was a fantastic James Lowe-esq score.

‘Tarf were over again in the 20^th minute thanks to a pick and go try from JJ O’Dea, who benefitted from a controversial Mick Kearney clearout. The Second Row flew into the ruck, making no attempt to wrap, leading with a shoulder to the head of Terenure’s Harrison Brewer.

The incident was dismissed by referee Peter Martin, much to the surprise of the Terenure crowd as the incident was shown on the big screen multiple times.

It looked as if it could be a long afternoon for Terenure as Clontarf were much the dominant side in the opening 30 minutes. Last year’s champions dominated the set pieces and ran crisp attacking lines, carving open the Terenure defence.

Against the run of play, Terenure got a score back of their own, as Adam La Grue intercepted Hugh Cooney’s pass inside the Clontarf half, with the full back sailing away for an easy score.

Thanks to another penalty from Dooley ten minutes earlier, and Clontarf missing both conversions, Terenure now found themselves in the lead.

On the stroke of half time, with a penalty advantage, Terenure winger Craig Adams chipped the ball over the Clontarf defence, and thanks to a lucky bounce, was able to regather the ball and run in for a score underneath the posts. There were shouts for a knock on, but the ball clearly came off the winger’s knee as he then regathered the ball.

After being under the kosh for much of the first half, Terenure headed into the break with an 8 point lead.

After conceding two tries late in the second half and heading into the break 8 points down, Clontarf started the second half with work to do to get back in the game. In the 49^th minute, following a brave decision to kick a penalty to the corner, Alex Soroka went over for Clontarf’s third try of the match.

The score came after 7 phases of pick and go’s from the dominant Clontarf pack, to put the defending champions back in the game.

Terenure all but sealed the championship in the 66^th minute after Conall Boomer broke off the base of the Terenure scrum, running 20 metres, before splitting two Clontarf defenders with a brilliant pass to winger Stephen O’Neill for an easy finish in the corner.

Boomer got his reward in the 78^th minute, finishing off a delightful Terenure move to score in the opposite corner, fending off Clontarf captain Matt Darcy before celebrating in front of his own fans.

Caolan Dooley had a fantastic day from the tee, scoring eight penalties and three try conversions, recording an astounding 30 points out of Terenure’s 50.

Dooley’s 4 penalties in the opening 20 minutes of the second half would prove vital for Terenure, as they kept the scoreboard ticking and kept an ill-disciplined Clontarf at bay.

It’s a first AIL Championship for Terenure, who produced a fantastic second-half performance to get revenge in the replay of last year’s final.

Despite a slow start, they scored two crucial tries at the end of the first half to lead at half time, and were able to keep the score board ticking to end up 26 point winners.

Following an incredible performance from the kicking tee in this afternoon’s AIL Division 1A final, we spoke to Terenure’s Caolan Dooley about his kicking technique and routine.

Dooley slotted 11 out of 12 kicks this afternoon, recording an eye-watering 30 points out of Terenure’s 50. Ironically, his easiest kick from straight in front of the posts, was his one miss of the afternoon!

Speaking with Dooley after full-time, he told us about his mental routine ahead of striking a kick, ‘You are practising the same way, it is the same as throwing a ball into a lineout, you have to have the same process every time’, he told us.

Dooley’s routine was noticeable throughout the game, as he changed nothing between kicks, regardless of distance or angle.

On distance, he said, ‘As soon as you step away from the process you are asking for trouble. If you don’t have the distance don’t take it on.’ Dooley nailed 11 out of 12 kicks this afternoon, and spoke to us about his mindset whilst he lines up to take the kick. ‘If you line the ball up the same way, take the same number of steps in the same direction as you always do, the kick is going to look after itself.’

Hailing from Limerick, Dooley grew up watching the illustrious Ronan O’Gara on his tv set, the former Ireland Fly-Half an inspiration for the young centre, ‘I am from Limerick, grew up with Ronan O’Gara as my idol. Even to hear him how he was so nervous before some kicks.’

Dooley produced a ROG-esq performance this afternoon, scoring an incredible 30 points in today’s final, looking calm and composed in all of his kicks. Dooley’s penalties in the second half allowed Terenure to gradually pull away from Clontarf on the scoreboard, and he was rightfully awarded player of the match.