LAST UPDATE | 27 Jun 2023
THE IRELAND MEN’S Sevens teams have qualified for the Paris Olympics after winning the final at the European Games in Poland.
Ireland defeated Great Britain 26-12, with Jordan Conroy (two) Billy Dardis and Terry Kennedy bagging the tries en route to glory.
With the sides going head-to-head for an Olympic ticket, Dardis and Kennedy crossed for Ireland to lead 14-7 at the break. Kennedy’s converted try, just before the mid-point, was a huge boost.
The electric Conroy added two more in the second half. England hit back, but Ireland were left to celebrate in Krakow.
They overcame Portugal in the semi-final earlier today, and previously defeated Belgium.
The Ireland Women’s Sevens team qualified after their exploits at the Toulouse Sevens in May.
PARIS QUALIFIED! 🇫🇷#Ireland7s | @TritonLake pic.twitter.com/26CGMZeUHD
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 27, 2023
“I can’t put it into words,” Irish captain Harry McNulty said.
“Just the effort from everybody involved; teammates, backroom staff, everyone at home that didn’t get the opportunity to come over and play here, the travelling support - I think there was nearly more Irish than Polish here at one stage.
“It’s fantastic, it’s something that we’ve been working on for so long. Basically the last two seasons have merged into one because Covid pushed a couple of tournaments so it’s been like a way way longer season than we’re used to, and we just had to keep digging in and working hard for each other, and to get the result is fantastic.”
“It means the men and the women are both going to Paris with a full year run at it,” he added.
“First time at it both going to the Olympic Games together; it’s so fantastic. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it! For both sides of the programme I couldn’t be more happy!
“It’s funny, when I wake up I never really remember a dream; it’s just a blackout. Six or ten times this year I’ve had a dream and each time it was about winning this game, and I’m dead serious when I say that. I have been dreaming that for the last six months to a year in the lead up to this so I’m glad it’s now a reality.”
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