Strong Offaly interest in Leinster's clash with Connacht
There will be plenty of Offaly involvement in the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship opening round match between Leinster and Connacht at Energia Park, Donnybrook today (kick-off 4.45pm).
Aoife Dalton from Clara is one of two vice-captains in the Leinster squad along with Molly Boyne. Dalton has made a rapid rise through the rugby ranks in recent years and is an established Irish senior international.
There are three Tullamore RFC players in Leinster's match-day squad, with Ailsa Hughes and Laois native Leah Tarpey among the replacements, in addition to Dalton in the starting XV. Another Tullamore RFC player, Emma Kelly from Westmeath is on the overall squad but is not included in the match-day 23.
Last year’s Bank of Ireland Leinster Women’s Player of the Year, Dalton (21) is joined in a youthful centre pairing by Cara Martin, who is set to make her Leinster debut.
Other players from the Midlands in the Leinster squad for the clash with Connacht (which is live on TG4) include Eimear Corri of Portlaoise RFC and Katie Layde (Mullingar RFC). Tania Rosser's side is captained by Hannah O’Connor.
Meanwhile, Tullamore's Shannon Touhey is co-captain of the Connacht team along with out-half Nicole Fowley. Touhey has been selected at number 8 by Connacht head coach Emer O’Dowd.
Leinster squad (vs Connacht): 15. Emma Tilly; 14. Ella Roberts, 13. Aoife Dalton, 12. Cara Martin, 11. Aimee Clarke; 10. Nikki Caughey, 9. Katie Whelan; 1. Aoife Moore, 2. Sarah Delaney, 3. Linda Djougang; 4. Ruth Campbell, 5. Eimear Corri; 6. Hannah O’Connor (captain), 7. Molly Boyne, 8. Caoimhe Molloy. Replacements: Julia O'Connor, Katie Layde, Christy Haney, Clodagh Dunne, Jane Neill, Jemma Farrell, Ailsa Hughes, Leah Tarpey.
Connacht squad (vs Leinster): 15. Meabh Deely; 14. Laoise McGonagle, 13. Ava Ryder, 12. Éabha Nic Dhonnacha, 11. Clara Barrett; 10. Nicole Fowley (co-captain), 9. Grainne Moran; 1. Ella Burns, 2. Lily Brady, 3. Megan Collis; 4. Orla Fenton, 5. Rosie Searle; 6. Beibhinn Gleeson, 7. Lesley Ring, 8. Shannon Touhey (co-captain). Replacements: Stacy Hanley, Ellen Connolly, Roisín Maher, Faith Oviawe, Karly Tierney, May Goulding, Orla Dixon, Emily Foley.
Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship fixtures
Round 1 (Saturday, 10 August 10): Munster v Ulster, Virgin Media Park, kick-off 2.30pm; Leinster v Connacht, Energia Park, 4.45pm.
Round 2 (Saturday, August 17): Ulster v Connacht, Kingspan Stadium, 2.30pm; Munster v Leinster, Virgin Media Park, 4.45pm.
Round 3 (Saturday, August 24): Connacht v Munster, Dexcom Stadium, 2.30pm; Ulster v Leinster, Kingspan Stadium, 4.45pm.
Finals Day (Saturday, August 31) in Kingspan Stadium: 3rd v 4th place, 2.30pm; 1st v 2nd place, 4.45pm.