Biography
Born on May 4, 2000, in Fethard, County Tipperary, Dorothy Wall is an embodiment of Irish grit and talent on the rugby field. As a radiography student in Dublin, she manages to juggle her academic pursuits with her rising rugby career. Dorothy is a player who isn’t afraid of hard tackles and tough scrums, as she plays the flanker position for Blackrock College RFC, Munster, and the Ireland women’s national rugby union team. In addition, she brings her energetic gameplay to Rugby Ireland’s international Sevens team.
Club Career
Wall’s athleticism was evident from her youth as she gracefully played basketball before switching to rugby in her mid-teens. It was during her Transition Year at Presentation Secondary School in Thurles that Polly Murphy recognized her potential and encouraged her to play for her local club, Fethard RFC.
She honed her skills at the Under-16 and Under-18 levels, eventually leading to a spot on the Munster team at Under-18 level. There, she showcased her versatility by initially playing on the wing, sharing the field with notable teammates like Enya Breen and Emily Lane.
The 2019-2020 period marked a new chapter as Dorothy moved to Dublin for her studies and joined the prestigious ranks of Blackrock College RFC, competing in the Energia All-Ireland League.
International Career
Dorothy’s international debut came with the underage Sevens rugby team, where she tasted victory in the UK Schools Sevens with Ireland’s Under-18 team in 2017. Post her Leaving Certificate, she was selected for the senior Sevens squad, earning her first cap in Ukraine during the summer of 2019 at the Rugby Europe Women’s Sevens Grand Prix Series.
Later that year, in October, Dorothy was called up to the Irish XV squad, marking the beginning of her 15s international career. She made her mark in the 2020 Women’s Six Nations, debuting off the bench against Scotland and also playing against Wales and England. Her starting debut came against Italy, where she played blindside to Ciara Griffin’s Number 8 in a match rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following year, in the 2021 Women’s Six Nations, Dorothy Wall not only scored her first international try against Wales but also started against the formidable French team. In a testament to her commitment to the sport, she also played Sevens for Ireland in 2021, balancing both codes with determination and skill.