Olympics 24: Quarter final exit for Men’s Rugby Sevens squad

THE Ireland Men’s Sevens rugby team and St Mary’s Rugby clubman man, Terry Kennedy suffered heartbreak exiting the Olympics in the quarter finals yesterday evening.

Fiji, who are aiming for their third gold medal in a row and who have not lost a single game in the Olympics since rugby sevens became an Olympic sport in 2016, prevailed over the Irish team, by four points.

Disappointment was the prevailing emotion amongst the Irish squad after this devastating loss, as they were the stronger team for large parts of this game.

Chay Mullins scored two tries for an Irish team who have been left to rue what might have been.

It was Fiji who got off to the better start with Iosefo Baleiwairiki breaking the Irish cover for a try, which was converted, and which left Ireland trailing 7-0 after less than two minutes had elapsed.

Ireland responded through Mullins with an unconverted try, with the Connacht player following this up with another unconverted try just before half-time to leave the score at 10-7 in Ireland’s favour.

In the second half Ireland kept up this momentum with another unconverted try by Zac Ward after an exhilarating move that began on the Irish 22, to leave the score at 15-7.

However, Fiji replied with a try from Joji Nasova to put the Irish team under pressure.

Ireland compounded this setback knocking the ball loose from the restart which Waisea Nacuqu picked up and who duly scored a try for Fiji.

This left Fiji 19-15 in front with less than two minutes left.

Despite Ireland’s best efforts the team from the Southern hemisphere and specialists in the sport held on for victory.

Ireland still have two repechage games to play with the possibility of finishing fifth in the competition still a possibility.

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