In an outstanding display of kicking prowess, Caolan Dooley almost single-handedly led Terenure College to a resounding victory over Clontarf in the Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A final at the Aviva Stadium this past weekend.
He notched up a personal tally of 30 points, helping his team to set a new points scoring record in the process. With Dooley’s exceptional kicking skills, Terenure College successfully dethroned Clontarf with a commanding 24-50 triumph.
Both teams managed to score four tries each, but the standout player was Caolan Dooley, the 23-year-old centre from Terenure. He demonstrated his exceptional skills by successfully converting 11 out of 12 kicks, narrowly missing one as it hit the post. With a total of 30 points to his name, Dooley’s performance in placekicking was nothing short of breathtaking, with many of his attempts notched over from very challenging positions.
One of the best things I have ever seen.
30 points in the 1A Final.
Those at the Aviva will never forget this.
Caolan Dooley – you good thing.
— Justin Middleton (@rugbybroadcastr) May 9, 2023
Ronan O’Gara took to Twitter to express his admiration for the young kicker: “What a player Caolan Dooley is. Rarely has a kicker in Lansdowne Rd made it look that easy.. beautiful technique.”
Dooley was understandably thrilled with the response he received from the Ireland great, saying: “I am from Limerick, grew up with Ronan O’Gara as my idol. Even to hear him say how he was so nervous before some kicks. Sometimes you are forced to do it and it’s about sticking with the same process. 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 will look after itself.”
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