3 days ago
Tadhg Beirne and Aoife Dalton recognised at Rugby Player Ireland awards
Tadhg Beirne and Aoife Dalton were the big winners at the Rugby Player Ireland awards, claiming the men's and women's top prizes, respectively.
The Munster man beat off competition from Tom Farrell, Jamison Gibson-Park and Ireland captain Caelan Doris, while 22-year-old Dalton was recognised for her eye-catching displays at centre to see off the claims of Dorothy Wall, Amee-Leigh Costigan and Niamh O'Dowd.
Beirne, who is set for his second Lions tour this summer, has been a rock of consistency at both provincial and Test level.
Unable to collect his award as Munster are in South Africa to take on Sharks in this weekend's BKT URC quarter-final, the 33-year-old said the award was both an honour and unexpected.
"It comes as quite a surprise given that Caelan, Tom and Jamison have all had brilliant seasons," he said.
"To be chosen by my fellow Rugby Players Ireland members makes this award even more meaningful, and I really appreciate their support and acknowledgement."
Dalton scooped the OCC Consulting Women's XVs Players' Player of the Year following a hugely impactful campaign in the Irish midfield across 2024/25 and is likely to be a key figure for the women in green at the Rugby World Cup in England later this year.
Having made a try-scoring return to international action following two ACL injuries and the birth of her son Caolán, Eimear Considine - pictured above - announced her retirement during the season.
To mark both her Irish sporting legacy and long-standing contribution to mental wellbeing discourse in Ireland, Considine was presented with the Zurich Contribution to Irish Society Award as Tackle Your Feelings kicked off its ten-year anniversary celebrations.
Another to make their comeback this season was Dan Sheehan who picked up from where he left off upon his return with a powerful effort against England for which he took home the MSL Mercedes-Benz Ballsbridge Men's XVs Try of the Year.
Anna McGann was the winner of the AIB Corporate Banking Women's XVs Try of the Year for finishing off a sweeping team effort against Italy in the Six Nations.
Having been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup later this year, Erin King was given a morale boost by her team-mates who voted her as their Energia Women's XVs Young Player of the Year. It follows her World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year last November.
Meanwhile, Leinster and Ireland out-half Sam Prendergast was named as the Nevin Spence Men's XVs Young Player of the Year, with previous winner and Connacht captain Cian Prendergast on hand to present the award to his younger brother.
Further accolades were presented on the night to Dylan O'Grady who was named as the TritonLake Men's 7s Players' Player of the Year, and Lucinda Kinghan who was named the TritonLake Women's 7s Players' Player of the Year.
Ireland's Triple Crown success was named as the Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort Moment of the Year with Irish captain Caelan Doris closing out the evening by accepting the award on behalf of his team-mates.
