In Pics: Top talent honoured at Rugby Players Ireland awards
Tadgh Beirne and Aoife Dalton have been announced as the Rugby Players of Ireland (RPI)'s Players' Players of the Year.
Tadgh, who was unable to make the ceremony as he's training for the URC quarter final in South Africa, said it was an honour to be named among his peers, and beating out province teammate Tom Farrell, as well as Caelan Doris and Jamison Gibson-Park.
'I'm honoured to be named. It comes as quite a surprise given that Caelan, Tom and Jamison have all had brilliant season,' Tadgh said, adding that being awarded the gong by his peers 'makes this award even more meaningful and I really appreciate their support and acknowledgment.' Tadhg Beirne speaks via video link after receiving the award. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Conan
Also taking home the women's Players Player of the year was Aoife Dalton, who impressed in the Six Nations with seven tries and becoming a vital part of the Irish women's rugby team ahead of the World Cup, which will take place in England this year.
'It's a very exciting time to be involved with this group of players,' the 22-year-old midfielder said. 'To be recognised by them at such a crucial time for this team is hard to put into words.
'When I first came into camp, I could sense that something was beginning to build and I think we have started to see the fruits of that over recent months both collectively and individually, through the performances of my fellow nominees Amee-Leigh, Niamh and Dorothy.' Aoife Dalton with her award. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
Eimear Considine also won big at the awards, being presented with the Zurich Contribution to Irish Society Award — with her being selected as an acknowledgement of her sporting legacy and longstanding contribution to mental wellbeing discourse in Ireland.
As well as this, she had a season to remember when she returned to the pitch following two ACL injuries and the birth of her son Caolán. Eimear Considine with her award. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
Dan Sheehan, who also returned from an ACL injury during the Six Nations earlier this year, picked up Men's Try of the Year for his try against England in the Six Nations, while Anna McGann's try against Italy picked up Women's Try of the Year.
Leinster out-half Sam Prendergast won Men's Young Player of the Year, with previous young player of the year winner Cian Prendergast being on hand to present the award to his younger brother.
Erin King won the Women's XV Young Player of the Year, while Dylan O'Grady was named the Men's Sevens Players' Player of the Year. Lucinda Kinghan won the Women's Sevens Players' Player of the Year, while the Triple Crown win for the men's Six Nations team won Moment of the Year. Caelan Doris. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Conan Billy Dardis and Deirdre Lyons. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Mark and Fiona Fennell. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Niamh O'Callaghan and Emma O'Brien. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Molly Moran and Niamh Devlin. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Tom and Amy Brownes. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Edel Broderick and Anne McDermott. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Ruth Campbell, Eimear Considine and Dorothy Wall. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Emma McHale and Lynne Fenton. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Mary and Devin Toner. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Patrick and Sandra Hickey-Dwyer. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Joshua Gleeson Halpin, Mark Roche and Jennifer Gleeson. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Bryan Mollen and Aoife Doyle. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Christina Mahon. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Christina Mahon and Elma Beirne. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Orla Gildea, Nicole Sullivan and Ashley Sweetman. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Richard and Fiona McElwe. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Lucinda Kingham, Kate Farrell McCabe, Megan Burns and Alanna Fitzpatrick. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Dorothy Wall (centre) with her parents Sophie and Anthony. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Conor and Emily Lestrange. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Ben Horgan and Michelle Power. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Guests at the event. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Judy and Gary Mullane. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Angela Hayes and Cathal Quinn. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Elaine Ryan and Greg Pippett. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Paul and Sarah Merriman. Pic: Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Ryan and Michaela Andrews. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Elma Beirne and Aoife Clarke. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Ireland women's rugby players. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Ireland women's rugby players. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
37 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
'Old school, new school' – Knight leading by example for Ireland
It was almost the perfect season for Ireland midfielder Jason Knight, as the Dubliner captained Bristol City all the way to the Championship play-offs, only to fall at the Premier League's penultimate hurdle. An ever-present in the Robins' side that finished sixth in the table, Knight's club season came to a close when losing out to Sheffield United in the play-off semi-finals in early May. On a positive note, Knight completed the clean sweep of in-house accolades, as he was named fans, players, former players, and senior Reds' player of the year, following a commanding season leading his side from the heart of the midfield. Knight has taken a short stint away to lick his wounds, enjoy some sunshine, and report back for international duty ahead of two final fixtures, against Senegal on Friday night, followed by an away trip to Luxembourg. "We've had a really good campaign, we fell short towards the end, but a really progressive campaign for the club and for myself as well," said Knight, speaking at Tuesday's press conference. "The first season at Bristol was good, I played a lot of games and then obviously progressed this season, scored a few goals, got assists, and played a lot of games as well. "Probably went into more of a leadership kind of role, being captain. So I've enjoyed it." And Knight said that he is comfortable taking leadership whether at club or country, and feels that it has come naturally to him, as he has always looked to take responsibility on the pitch. "I've tried to do that since I've come in [to Ireland squad]," he said. "I've been a loud character as well, I try and lead on the pitch. So it wouldn't really change for me. "I've been around a little bit now in the Irish set-up, so it is time for everyone to step up, and that means senior players, and players who have played a lot as well, to help the lads who have come in as well sort of get into the group and normalise around the place as well. So that's what we have to do as well. "I've had a couple of weeks off, got the feet up and got some sun so I'm ready to go. I've got a few games now and I can have another couple of weeks off after that." Missing out on promotion this season, Knight's performances will certainly have gained attention from top-flight clubs, however, while the ambition remains to play Premier League football, he is not looking to force the issue at this stage of his career. "I've obviously had a good season, I'm enjoying myself at Bristol," said Knight. "I want to be ambitious. I want to play in the top division. "But I'm relaxed, if it's now or in the future, that will be. I've just got to keep performing well to get to that point." "Not that I've heard anyway," he added, when asked had there been any interest. "It's been a bit quiet for the last couple of weeks, just with the season ending. It's been a long season, so nothing so far." Sitting next to Knight at the press conference was Ireland assistant coach, John O'Shea, and the former Manchester United and Sunderland defender spoke highly of the midfielder and has been particularly impressed with the consistency that has come with playing every game of the season at club level. And he also spoke about the quality and leadership that comes as part of the package when Knight is involved with the national team. "There is consistency in the numbers," said O'Shea, regarding Knight. "He mentions the games that he has played and it is a case of he is naturally leading now, vocally but also performance and intensity-wise. "If we are doing a drill in training, you know if Knighty is involved in it then it is going to take care of itself and that is brilliant for a coaching staff, to have that and to see that reliability. "It's also a trust to know what he is going to produce for the team as well. He has grown into the role for club and country. "I'm sure there's lots of people looking at him and I'm sure Bristol City are very happy with him too. There's always that element of him being new school and old school, but it is a good school that he is from. Hopefully it continues." As for Knight, there is no place that he would rather be that embedded in the Ireland camp, despite the fact that he is missing out on valuable time away from the hectic schedule of the English Championship. "I could be in Albufeira, you're right," he laughed. "No, look, there's always time for holidays. I know I'm young, but I know these caps and these opportunities are gold dust and I'm trying to grab them as much as I can. "This is the dream, this is where I want to be and I'm excited to be here for these two games and hopefully many more."
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Rugby legend makes touching gesture to Louise Quinn following tearful Ireland star's final game before retirement
DONNCHA O'CALLAGHAN comforted Louise Quinn after she played her final game for the Republic of Ireland. The popular defender came on for Carla Ward near the end of Ireland's 2 Louise Quinn played her final game for Ireland against Slovenia Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 She was comforted by Donncha O'Callaghan Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile It was her 122nd and last cap for her country, and her last game in professional soccer before retiring altogether. The tears flowed upon the final whistle at Pairc Ui Chaoimh as Quinn gave the post-match team-talk while being embraced by teammates. When she went over to the stands at the home of Present at the game was former star Donncha O'Callaghan, who made the point of sharing a moment with Quinn. Read More on Ireland WNT The legendary defender bids farewell to an international career that peaked when she starred at the 2023 And speaking to She said: "I think it will take a little bit of time but I just feel like where we have come as a team and to now, you can see that progress. "We were a nation that was really struggling and to be part of something that has built to where it is now, I am so proud. Most read in Football "To make it this far and I am still in one piece, I am pretty happy." Louise Quinn was not the only player for whom Tuesday night was an emotional occasion. 'You can't make this up' - Irish fans in stitches at Ruesha Littlejohn's playful prank upon Katie McCabe's camp arrival Saoirse Noonan scored the only goal of the game as the striker achieved an unexpected feat of her own. By starting for the In 2020, she played full forward for the Rebelettes against She described it as a "surreal" occasion and revealed how much it would mean to her family. Noonan said: 'Carla called the team last night. "When I got the nod, I just told my parents and kept it a bit quiet and just tried to treat it like another game. 'The goal, when it went in and hit off my head, I could just see it dipping. I don't even know how I celebrated or anything. 'I just had a little moment, took a deep breath and was back into focus, we wanted to get that next goal quick. 'My Grandad would have been a proud man tonight, he would have been at every game with my granny, and this was the first time she's seen me play senior (for Ireland). "It was emotional and it meant a lot to me. 'Being in Cork is enough motivation in itself. Wearing the Irish jersey is enough motivation. "You don't need anything else really. It does add that little bit of grit. 'Since the new stadium's been built, I played here with the Cork ladies footballers at senior level. "To come back wearing a different shirt, it's the same feeling, you're representing something you're really proud of. "It's phenomenal.'
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
‘They're about eight foot tall' jokes Jason Knight as he backs newest Ireland stars to impress with ‘eyes on World Cup'
JASON KNIGHT joked about how he is looking up to giant Ireland new-boys John Joe Patrick Finn and Killian Phillips. But the midfielder now wants to take on more of a leadership role with the Boys in Green so team-mates can look up to him. 2 Jason Knight during a Republic of Ireland press conference at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile 2 John Joe Patrick Finn is one of Ireland's newest call-ups Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Knight's 37 caps make him the third-most experienced member of the squad preparing for Friday's friendly with And the Bristol City captain reckons he must now step up as a leader on the field. The 24-year-old said: 'I've tried to do that since I've come in. I've been a loud character as well, I try and lead on the pitch. So it wouldn't really change for me. 'I've been around a little bit now in the Irish set-up. It is time for everyone to step up and that means senior players and players who have played a lot as well, to help the lads who have come in sort of get into the group and normalise around the place. Read More on Ireland MNT 'Us sort of younger lads sort of matured now, we want to do something with the national team, we want to get to tournaments, we want to be successful in that realm. 'And that's what we've been talking about here. All eyes are on the 'There's probably eight, nine, ten of us that have come in at the same time and now we have 20-plus caps so that is only going to be to the benefit of the team and the country. 'The performances have to back that up as well, and the results. That's what we are going to have to try and do coming into September.' Most read in Football Knight is keen for a leadership role this week as the elder statesman in midfield, with boss Josh Cullen, among others, the summer off. It means Finn, 21, of Stade Reims and St Mirren's Phillips, 23, could make debuts — and 5ft 8in Knight joked the two six-footers give the side a new dimension. He said: 'They bring something different, obviously both the lads are about eight foot tall, which is helpful. Heimir Hallgrimsson gives first call-up to four Ireland players in squad for friendlies vs Senegal and Luxembourg 'But really good on the ball, really good around the place and the lads have sort of welcomed them really well. 'So hopefully they play a part and make a difference as well.' Knight relishes the competition for his place from the pair as he looks to continue his own remarkable season that saw him play every minute of his club's league campaign, which included two legs of a He also featured in all the Robins' cup games while, with Were But Knight was delighted to get the call and added: 'I've had a couple of weeks off, got the feet up and got some sun so I'm ready to go. I've got a few games now and I can have another couple of weeks off after that. 'There's always knocks and niggles you can get through but I have been fortunate to get through the season without hurting myself too badly. 'You can always get through a certain pain barrier and get on the pitch.'
