1) Biography
Aoife Dalton has emerged as one of the brightest young stars in Irish rugby. Born on 3 May 2003 in Clara, County Offaly, she plays as a centre for Leinster and the Ireland women’s national rugby union team.
Dalton began her rugby journey with Tullamore RFC before progressing to Old Belvedere R.F.C. and eventually earning her place with Leinster. She made her international debut for Ireland against Japan in 2022, aged just 19, and quickly established herself as a key player in the national setup.
Her talents extend beyond the 15-a-side game. In 2024, she represented Ireland Sevens at the Paris Olympic Games, showcasing her versatility on one of the biggest sporting stages in the world.
2) List of Teams Played For
- Tullamore RFC – Years not specified in the provided text
- Old Belvedere R.F.C. – Years not specified in the provided text
- Leinster – Years not specified in the provided text (current team)
- Ireland Women’s National Rugby Union Team – 2022–presentwomen
- Ireland Sevens – 2024
3) Rugby World Cups Played
- 2025 Rugby World Cup – Selected in Ireland’s squad on 11 August 2025.
4) Key Career Moments
Aoife Dalton’s international breakthrough came in 2022 when she made her Ireland debut against Japan at just 19 years of age.
She was part of Ireland’s squad for the 2023 Women’s Six Nations Championship and was recognised as the Irish Young Player of the Year in 2023, highlighting her rapid rise in the game.
In 2024, Dalton represented Ireland Sevens at the Paris Olympic Games, adding another major milestone to her growing career. Later that year, she was shortlisted for the 2024 Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s XV Player of the Year Award.
Her outstanding form continued in 2025. She was named Rugby Players Ireland Women’s Players’ Player of the Year following the 2025 Women’s Six Nations Championship, where she earned a place in the Team of the Championship after playing every minute (400 minutes) of Ireland’s campaign.
She was subsequently selected for Ireland’s squad for the 2025 Rugby World Cup and remained part of the national team for the 2026 Women’s Six Nations Championship.