The Ireland Women’s and Men’s sevens teams will have respective Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals, following their exploits in the competition today.
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe crossed for two tries as Ireland secured a 24-12 victory over Brazil in their opener, it took less than four minutes for Murphy Crowe to cross for the opening score, with captain Lucy Mulhall extending their lead less than a minute later.
Brazil came back to leave it 14-12 at the interval, Beibhinn Parsons scored a stunning solo try after the restart to squash any change in momentum after Brazil finished the first half well.
Ireland were more tactical in the second half their plan to keep them pushed back worked well, a five meter scrum late on giving Murphy Crowe her second try of the tie. Next up for Ireland is the meeting of the winner between New Zealand and Colombia.
The men’s team had similar fortunes, winning both of their games in Cape Town. Easing to a 24-0 opening game win over Portugal, as two unanswered tries in each half saw them brush aside their opponent’s.
Terry Kennedy gave them the lead after two minutes and from here they never looked like losing, Hugo Lennox made it 12-0 after exploiting space in behind with his boot, Ed Kelly played the pass to allow him to score, it could have been more than 12 had Matthew McDonald not denied late on.
Sean Cribbin and Bryan Mollen wrapped the game up with a try each in the second half, as Ireland looked in good form to face old foe England in the second test of the day.
Winning 17-5 they certainly have confidence ahead of Saturday’s Quarter Final against either hosts South Africa or Chille. The tie with England was certainly more compact both cancelling the other out, as the pressure was against the men in green.
Harry McNulty produced a moment of magic to barge past two English defenders and cross over, Mark Roche had the tie 7-0 at the interval. Roche added the second a minute after the restart, Jack Kelly winning the kick off allowing Ireland to stretch England wide for Roche to go over.
Leading 12-0 Jordan Conroy crossed for their third as England wounded from a Sin Bin could not cover the ground, Conroy able to go over in the corner.
Charlton Kerr prevented the whitewash as he touched over in the final play, attention turns to Saturday but Ireland look in good form as Chille and South Africa meet at 6pm this evening.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.