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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

Ireland men's Sevens celebrate Olympic qualification with victory over GB

Mission accomplished for the Ireland men's Sevens as they booked their place in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

James Topping's side were desperate to avoid having to repeat their debut journey to the Games when they won the final repechage to qualify just three weeks before Tokyo.

That effort took it's toll and they didn't do themselves justice in Japan, but they have established themselves as a force in the World Series since then.

READ MORE: Seven Irish boxing hopefuls to fight for Paris 2024 spots in Poland tomorrow

And, after a bronze medal at the World Cup, were favourites to win the European Games event in Krakow that doubled up as an Olympic qualifier for the victors.

After dismissing Portugal 26-0 in the semi-finals earlier in the day, Ireland made no mistake, claiming a deserved 26-12 victory over Great Britain to join the Ireland women's side in Paris.

Billy Dardis struck first, three minutes into the first half, as Ireland's superb counter ruck had their opponents flailing near their own try line.

The Naas man converted his try but England responded with a converted try of their own.

However in the last play of the half, world Sevens player of the year Terry Kennedy turned on the gas to cut inside three would-be tacklers to score under the posts, with Dardis adding the extras.

Ireland took a 14-7 lead into the second half and, while Conroy was just denied after making a trademark scintillating break down the wing, the Offaly flyer then pounced in the other corner for the killer third try with just over two minutes left.

Dardis' replacement Mark Roche was thrilled to see his difficult conversion split the posts before Conroy scored again with only seconds remaining.

GB got a late consolation but Ireland were soon celebrating with family and supporters, with a second successive Olympics to look forward to - and with over a year to prepare this time.

Ireland star Harry McNulty said: "I can't put any words into it.

"Just the effort involved from everybody, team-mates, backroom staff, all the lads back home who didn't get a chance to play here, the travelling support - I think there was more Irish here than Polish at one stage...it's fantastic, it's something that we've been working on for so long.

"Basically the last two seasons merged into one because Covid pushed a couple of tournaments so it's been a way, way, way longer season than we're used to, we just had to keep digging and just to get the result is fantastic.

"And it means the men and the women are both going to Paris with a full year run with it, the first time we're going to the Olympics together - I'm getting goose bumps just thinking about it.

"We're going to take it in our stride and enjoy it.

"I thought I was going to keep it together but as soon as I saw my mum and dad I thought I was going to bawl my eyes out!

"But for both sides of the programme, I couldn't be more happy. I'm delighted. I knew if we were at our best what we'd come away with.

"I've been literally dreaming about this for a year and now it's a reality."

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