Dalton delivers on her debut in Leinster victory
Aoife Dalton from Clara produced a player of the match performance when making her debut for the Leinster women's rugby team in their win over Connacht last Saturday.
Leinster recorded a 38-10 victory over Connacht at Energia Park in the first round of the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship.
Dalton began playing rugby for Tullamore RFC and she also enjoyed considerable success in Gaelic football during her time in Moate Community School.
Last year, Aoife made her debut for Ireland during the tour of Japan, but Saturday's game was her first start in the blue of Leinster.
She was partnered in the centre on Saturday last by her Old Belvedere club-mate Jenny Murphy.
“I loved it. This is my first (Leinster senior) cap and it’s so much better than I thought it would be,” said Dalton, when speaking after the game to TG4.
“The group have been so good over the last couple of weeks. It’s been hard, we didn’t know when we’d get to play these (interpros) and then we finally got dates.
"It’s a new squad, there’s plenty of new caps in the squad. The older girls have just welcomed us in. I’ve enjoyed it so much, genuinely,” added the 19-year-old, who was warmly embraced by Leinster coach Tania Rosser after receiving her Vodafone player of the match award.
Leinster are now preparing to Munster at Musgrave Park, Cork on Saturday (12.15) in a game which should be pivotal in deciding the championship.
As expected, Dalton has retained her place in the centre for the clash with Munster, while Tullamore native Ailsa Hughes is included among the replacements (see team list below).
Ulster, who lost 34-0 to Munster at Musgrave Park last weekend, will host Connacht at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.
Leinster team (v Munster)
15. Ella Roberts - Wicklow RFC
14. Elise O’Byrne-White - Old Belvedere RFC
13. Aoife Dalton – Tullamore RFC/Old Belvedere RFC
12. Jenny Murphy - Old Belvedere RFC
11. Anna Doyle - Tullow RFC/Blackrock College RFC
10. Dannah O'Brien - Tullow RFC/Old Belvedere RFC
9. Molly Scuffil-McCabe - Garda Westmanstown RFC/Railway Union RFC
1. Aoife Moore - Blackrock College RFC
2. Jess Keating - Old Belvedere RFC
3. Christy Haney - St Mary’s College RFC/Blackrock RFC (captain)
4. Aoife McDermott - Railway Union RFC
5. Eimear Corri - Portlaoise RFC/Blackrock College RFC
6. Niamh O’Dowd - Old Belvedere RFC
7. Molly Boyne - DUFC/Railway Union RFC
8. Hannah O'Connor - CYM RFC/Blackrock College RFC (captain)
Replacements
16. Vic O’Mahony - Old Belvedere RFC
17. Lisa Callan - Railway Union RFC
18. Megan Collis – Greystones RFC/Railway Union RFC
19. Elaine Anthony - Old Belvedere RFC
20. Emma Murphy - Railway Union RFC
21. Lisa Mullen - Virginia RFC/Blackrock RFC
22. Ailsa Hughes - Tullamore RFC/Railway Union RFC
23. Niamh Byrne - Railway Union RFC