Crossword Genius

Ireland got behind dance with a top dancer (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ballerina

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'top dancer' is the definition.
'ballerina' can be an answer for 'dancer' (ballerina is a kind of dancer). I am not sure about the 'top' bit.

'ireland got behind dance' is the wordplay.
'ireland' becomes 'Erin' (poetic name for Ireland).
'got' becomes 'a' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'behind' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'dance' becomes 'ball' (ball is a kind of dance).
'erin'+'a'='erina'
'erina' put after 'ball' is 'BALLERINA'.

'with a' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ballerina that I've seen before include "Pavlova?" , "She's a classical dancer" , "Danseuse" , "She dances to a rain bell" , "agile performer" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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