Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
IRELAND WOMEN HAVE clinched qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics with a nerve-wracking 10-5 win over Fiji at the Toulouse Sevens.
Two first-half tries from Amee-Leigh Murphy-Crowe stamped Ireland’s ticket and ensured the final automatic qualification place for next summer’s tournament.
It was a landmark moment for this side, who missed out on qualification for both Rio and Tokyo since Rugby Sevens was introduced to the Olympic programme two cycles ago.
“It’s been a journey for us,” elated captain Lucy Mulhall said immediately afterwards. “I’m just so grateful to have a team like that around us: players, family, staff.
“It’s been an amazing year. Our goal is just to grow Sevens in Ireland. There are some young kids here this weekend wearing an Ireland Sevens jersey.
“We do it for our families. Rugby has become a family, and then all of our families have joined it so they’ve all got to know each other and have a great weekend. I’m just so glad we could make them happy again.”
Allan Temple-Jones’s side arrived in Toulouse this week vying with Fiji and Great Britain for qualification.
After all three sides lost in Saturday’s quarter-finals, Ireland knew that victory over the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallists this morning would be enough to send them to Paris.
Those high stakes were reflected in a tense opening but Ireland struck first in the second minute when Stacey Flood put Murphy-Crowe in the clear, and she skipped away down the wing to score.
A determined Ireland tried to press home their early advantage by forcing Fiji into a mistake deep in their own territory.
But they were undone by a slick wraparound move which allowed Ilisapeci Delaiwau to get away from Eve Higgins and race the length of the pitch to touch down under the posts.
Ireland then benefitted from a huge let-off as Fiji’s seemingly straightforward conversion came back off the upright, leaving it level at 5-5 as half time approached.
There was time for one more piece of Murphy-Crowe magic before the siren. Ireland did well to recover from an untidy scrum on their own put-in, and Murphy-Crowe had the power to hold off Ana Maria Naimasi and make it 10-5.
Both sides had their chances as the tension rose in the second half, and as the clock ticked into the red, Younis Bese launched one final Fijian attack as she kicked from inside her own half and gave chase.
Bese was quick, but Flood was quicker, winning clean possession and the penalty which sparked joyous Irish celebrations.
Their qualification now secure, Ireland will look to finish the Sevens Series on a high when they take on Japan in the fifth-place final at 1.47pm this afternoon.
Written by The 42 Team and posted on the42.ie
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
everyday im shufflin’
“My new Nokia 6510 will be here today, it does texts and everything now”
he he he, ive got the golden ticket, jesus a camera, i was just about to click me heels an all, he he
I just can’t look at him long enough to figure it out. :-(
feckin’ botox hash me stuck like thish, ok think angry enda, think angry, doh!!
@Fergal Cantwell: Step away from the picture… enough from you already!
Fergal @ Best one yet ! Lol:) :)
Who’s your sexy daddy?
boom boom, i knew i was the daddy
Hope Ming got me sorted…..
ok, keep calm enda, got to get to the jacks
I bought this lovely new anorak thanks to the first few fools that paid the household charge….it’s all mine mine MINE MWAHAHAHA
This anorak has lots of lovely pockets for the brown envelopes. Zips as well to keep them safe………!
Wait til the wife realises i’ve taken the TV remote to work.
Now to Tax Confirmation and Communion money
chim chimeny, chim, chim cheroo
momma told me, there d be days like this
‘I’ve got the moves like Jagger’
We inherited Ireland’s financial woes from the previous government, just like I inherited this classy anorak from Bertie.
Doesn’t Mary have a lovely Bottom!!
ah now he’d be a bit more pc than that and would add “of course they all have lovely bottoms!” ya dont get to be taoiseach unless ur a bit diplomatic ;)
I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….
“This jacket with built in nipple warmers was the best present EVER”
“Oh crap hope that camera can’t see my german for dummies book”
Oh get me in there, I’ve missed the sound of Joan Burton’s voice.
When I was a teacher, in charge of 30 students I only worked 38 weeks out of the year. Now Im the Taoiseach in charge of 4 million people I only work 30 weeks in the year. Life is great.
“Huh,huh,huh what Paddy doesn’t know wont hurt Paddy huh,huh,huh”
“huh,huh,huh what Paddy doesn’t know won’t hurt Paddy huh,huh,huh”
Ha its nearly been a year now since I kicked those wasters out of government.
I just farted and there are no witnesses.
Lads– I’m suffering from Anoraksia Nervosa
Must check with Joan as when I qualify for a Taoiseach’s pension. Can’t be long now.
Whooos your sexy taoisigh?
sausages
I hope Eamon isn’t sitting in my chair and wearing my slippers again!!!
You know me Ted, the lights are on, but there’s nobody home…
I wonder will they ever bring back Mork and Mindy….that truly was a great programme
mmmm pensions :-)
I like turtles!!!
“The boys will be glad to get their hands on this 4000 page document on what we can blame previous administrations for”.
“Phil Hogan will be glad to get his hands on this list of householders I have in my left hand”
Shelia is back from maternity leave I feckin love how she does my eggs!!
Oh a camera… hmm… you’re vulnerable, you’re vulnerable.. you’re fierce – Glad i watched Top Model last night.
Iv just payed my household tax
Wehey Angela said i’m good boy!
“Tee hee hee…..I’ve got a great idea for the journals’ caption competition”
‘Glad I don’t have a private sector pension.’
Oh Sh1t a camera-man…. look happy for the people!!
La la la lalala, la lala la la (smurfs tune)
I wonder if I could get another go at those e voting machines to fix the euro referendum to pass
why is the fool using an ancient phone more embarrassment for us
Because if he was seen walking in with his bright new shiny iPhone 4S we’d all be saying – “look at yon gimp with the expensive smart phone, we’re probably paying his bills too”.
This way he is telling us that we’re all broke so an ancient nokia is all he can afford, the fact that we’re paying his bill regardless seems to have escaped him
Yes Dermot. Cos we do like to sweat the small stuff. Less than 2 weeks now to paying the bondholders. But the sheep worry about the price of his feicing phone!!!
I’m wearing the new tie my Mrs gave me for Christmas:-))
Bertie gave me this anorak for Christmas. Feck all in the pockets except empty envelopes though!
“Heigh ho, heigh ho, it’s back to work I go”
Seriously, I cant believe it get €200,000 a year for this!!
Jaysus! Penny’s does great Jackets!
It took me 5 point 0 minutes to think of how to fleece the country! Wahahahahaha!
Fracking
So how many people am I going to screw over this year.
Can’t wait for next years anniversary!
Im still in the driver seat after screwing the pensioners and passing the buck to the tax man Ha, Ha.
You don’t have to enjoy screwing the general public to work here but it helps!
i wanted an iphone for christmas….
I’m glad I got the revenue commissioners to handle this one
So have many people am I going to screw over this term.
i can do what i like and no one can stop me…foolish people
This anorak has lots of lovely zipped pockets for the brown envelopes.
After receiving a sizable ‘Political Donation’
“Oh hoh hoh.. . gonna get me that new boat!”
Oohh…where’s that spine I wanted to grow?
Five point caption…..
Lads, if what I’ve got in this portfolio is as interesting as what I think i just did in the seat of my trousers, the country’s in for another great year, ;D >>shifty eyes<<
Haa haa going to start the report cards on minsters. brillant
‘I haven’t read the Mahon Report, I haven’t read the Mahon Report, I haven’t read the Mahon Report, I haven’t read the Mahon Report, HONESTLY lads, I haven’t read the Mahon Report’.
Wait until those sneaky Frenchies find out we haven’t got two potatoes to rub together…
“I have my own five point plan..going to the dail bar hehehe”
I’ll show them no nonsence: there’ll be plenty of seach in their T tonight
Pensions do do be doobee, pensions, do dobee do, pensions, do do do dobee do dobee do dobee do do do do do do do……
Instead of phenomenon? Anybody?
Anglo Irish Bank.. not another Cent.
i love this job, The people of Ireland are so dumb hee hee.
“Do they think I’m going to work today, I’m off to lunch with the Troika”
Woohoo.. just rang the revenue and i’m not entitled to tax…..
Another Rat in an Anorak
Fronting the anti obesity campaign….
Snooooop dogy dog!
‘Hey journos, check out my austerity phone – no fancy schmancy iPhone for me’
bloody long drives reek havoc with my bladder. hope the feckin jacks is open.
“Waddaya think of the jacket boys?”
Do you like my big rosie cheeks? Do you ? I really would like to look like my friend Bosco11
The return of anorak politics, what next paddy the plasterer
have your say