Cork Con hero James Taylor: Winning the AIL is the pinnacle for us | CPT PPP Coverage

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The sound of the Cork Con celebrations echoed across the hall, but before Taylor joined his jubilant team-mates in the dressing-room, he attempted to put into words, what it meant to become an Energia All-Ireland League (AIL) winner for the first time.

A year after Caolan Dooley kicked 30 points to drive Terenure to their maiden title, Taylor stepped up by landing 7/7 in what was the latest in a long line of superb AIL final place-kicking displays at the Aviva Stadium.

“I kicked well last week [in semi-final win over Clontarf], I was 7/7, and then earlier on today before the women’s game, myself and Rob Hedderman got to practise kicking because we knew we wouldn’t really be able to before the game.

?“So that sort of eased any nerves that I had. It meant that my first time going out, it wasn’t going to be alien to me. Conditions were perfect for kicking and thankfully the process stood true.”

Growing up in Cork, Taylor always hoped that he would one day win an AIL, and having the made the move to Con from UCC, that dream became a reality in stunning fashion on Sunday.

“Aw, just pure elation,” the out-half beamed.

“It was an incredibly long, tough season, but to get over the line, given the circumstance going down to 12 as well, was something special.

“To win it was always my goal playing senior rugby. The majority of us are amateurs, and this is the pinnacle of our playing. It certainly tops the lot.”

Having opted against attempting to pursue a career in professional rugby, Taylor, whose return from injury was timely in terms of Con going all the way, has no regrets about his decision, as he targets more success with his club in the coming years.

“No, I don’t think that makes me want to go down that route any more less than I already do,” Taylor added.

“I’m just going to savour this now for the next couple of weeks hopefully and rebuild then for the following year.

“The majority of the lads are 22 or 23-years-old.

“For long periods of the season, myself and Seán Duffy were the oldest on the team at 25. For a team like Con to have that age-grade on the senior team bodes well for next year as well.

“I’ve pretty much the week booked off work. I’ll use that as best I can!” he added.