Former Moate CS student scores try on Ireland debut

Clara teenager Aoife Dalton scored a try on her debut for Ireland as they secured an emphatic 57-22 win over Japan in the opening match of their first ever summer tour.

A nervous start left Ireland trailing 15-0 after 11 minutes, but the new look side recovered their composure and worked their way back into the game in style.

First half tries from Neve Jones, Aoife Doyle and Dalton, coupled with two conversions from impressive teenage out-half Dannah O’Brien, saw Ireland finish the half 19-15 ahead.

There was plenty more from this young Ireland side with in-form hooker Jones adding two more maul tries to register her hat-trick.

Méabh Deely capitalised on some super work by the back-line, who showed real promise throughout the 80 minutes, to score on her debut.

Further tries followed from Chloe Pearse and Molly Scuffil-McCabe as Ireland hit 50 points. Fellow replacement Emma Hooban added a ninth and final score which O’Brien converted to complete her 12-point contribution.

Dalton (19), who plays her rugby with Tullamore RFC, is a past pupil of Moate Community School and captain the school's side to their All Ireland Schools Junior B football success in 2019.