Player of the Year award for Offaly's Dalton

Offaly's Aoife Dalton has been named as the Players’ Player of the Year at the Rugby Players Ireland Awards, having been a hugely influential figure for the Ireland women's rugby team during the 2024/25 season.

Aged just 22, Clara native Dalton has already established herself as a key figure in an Irish dressing room that is set to up the ante ahead of the Rugby World Cup in England later this year.

Dalton was selected on the Women’s Six Nations ‘Team of the Championship’, with the centre one of three Irish players chosen on the team which was voted for by the public.

Speaking as she claimed the Players’ Player award, Dalton said: “It’s a very exciting time to be involved with this group of players. 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 (Costigan), Niamh (O’Dowd) and Dorothy (Wall),” added the Leinster star and former Tullamore RFC player.

Meanwhile, Munster stalwart Tadhg Beirne has been recognised by his fellow players as the Men’s Players’ Players of the Year 2025 at the Rugby Players Ireland Awards. Recently called up to his second Lions tour, Beirne beat off the claims of Tom Farrell, Jamison Gibson-Park and Irish captain Caelan Doris for the award.

Many of the biggest names in Irish rugby were present for the awards at the Aviva Stadium tonight (Wednesday), as former players Barry Murphy and Andrew Trimble reflected on an eventful campaign, on and off the field.

Rugby Players Ireland Awards: 2025 winners and nominees

OCC Consulting Men’s Xvs Players’ Player of the Year: Tadhg Beirne. Nominees: Caelan Doris, Tom Farrell, Jamison Gibson-Park.

OCC Consulting Women’s Xvs Players’ Player of the Year: Aoife Dalton. Nominees: Amee-Leigh Costigan, Niamh O’Dowd, Dorothy Wall.

Nevin Spence Men’s Xvs Young Player of the Year: Sam Prendergast. Nominees: Gus McCarthy, Ben Murphy.

Energia Women’s Xvs Young Player of the Year: Erin King. Nominees: Ruth Campbell, Aoife Dalton.

MSL Mercedes-Benz Ballsbridge Men’s Xvs Try of the Year: Dan Sheehan (v England). Nominees: Stewart Moore (v Stormers), Dan Sheehan (v Ulster).

AIB Corporate Banking Women’s Xvs Try of the Year: Anna McGann (v Italy). Nominees: Amee-Leigh Costigan (v England), Linda Djougang (v Wales).

TritonLake Men’s 7s Player of the Year: Dylan O’Grady. Nominees: Niall Comerford, Mark Roche.

TritonLake Women’s 7s Player of the Year: Lucinda Kinghan. Nominees: Hannah Clarke, Kate Farrell-McCabe.

Zurich Contribution to Irish Society Award: Eimear Considine.

Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort Moment of the Year: Ireland’s Triple Crown success accepted by Caelan Doris.