LAST UPDATE | 10 Dec 2023
IRELAND AGONISINGLY MISSED out on a bronze medal at the SVNS Series after a 14-7 extra-time defeat to Fiji in Cape Town.
James Topping’s side were aiming to finish on a high after losing 26-19 to Argentina in their semi-final earlier in the day.
And they got off to the best possible start in their meeting with Fiji when Gavin Mullin ran over a third-minute try followed by a successful conversion from Billy Dardis.
Ireland were soon pegged back, however, and Pilipo Bukayaro scored a try of his own with the extras from Filipe Sauturaga. They secured third place in the 15th minute when Joseva Talacolo helped himself to a try with Sauturaga again converting.
TK is on fire in the Cape! 🔥#Ireland7s
— Ireland 7s (@Ireland7s) December 10, 2023
pic.twitter.com/eiMmNDSA2e
This defeat came after Terry Kennedy had earlier produced a memorable hat-trick of tries in an historic victory over New Zealand to reach the last four.
The 36-21 win was the first time Ireland had beaten the All Blacks in the competition, setting up that meeting with Argentina.
Ireland topped their Pool with three successive victories on Saturday and backed up those showings with a ruthless display against New Zealand before being undone by Argentina and then Fiji.
Ireland Women had earlier gone out at the quarter final stage following a 24-14 defeat to Australia but they finished on a positive note by beating Great Britain 19-5 for seventh spot.
Beibhinn Parsons and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe scored tries in the sixth and eight minute, respectively, before Parsons doubled her tally in the 12th minute.
Lucy Mullhall was successful with one conversion for a comfortable win.
