Troy Shantz
A Sarnia woman has landed a spot on the Irish National Rugby Team.
Victoria Dabanovich-O’Mahony, who is studying medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, was recently named to the XV Women's Team
“Being able to put on the green jersey is an unexplainable feeling,” she told The Journal.
“For me being Canadian and (to) have been given the opportunity to represent another country is such an honour, it's really a dream come true.”
The former Sarnia Saint said her journey to Ireland began while representing Ontario at a U18 tournament two years ago. Ontario played against three Irish provincial teams and Dabanovich-O’Mahony relished the playing environment.
“I don't know if it was their skills or the atmosphere they created, but I knew at that point my next goal was to play on their Women's Leinster XV team.”
Leinster Rugby, which has men and women’s teams, is one of four professional provincial teams in Ireland and is known as a powerhouse domestically and in European competition.
Dabanovich-O’Mahony asked if she could train with Leinster this summer to stay in shape. They agreed, and were so impressed they added her to the tournament roster for the Interprovincial Rugby Championships.
The 5’8” and 77-kilogram forward helped Leinster win the championships for a second straight year.
And her strong performance on the field caught the eye of national team organizers who offered her a spot.
This fall, Dabanovich-O’Mahony has suited up for training matches against Scotland, France and Wales, and the team is preparing for the Six Nations Championship and World Cup Qualifiers next summer.
Dabanovich-O’Mahony, who attended the private Ridley College in St. Catharines, remains in touch with the Saints, and even donned the black and gold for a few matches when the Saints women toured Ireland this summer.
“Sarnia Saints taught me the love for the sport,” she said. “They were the beginning of my pathway.”
Dabanovich-O’Mahony, whose father and grandfather studied medicine in Ireland, said she is interested in specializing in sports medicine, prosthetics or trauma surgery.