WATCH: Limerick players prominent as Irish sides enjoy successful World Cup 7s campaigns

Ireland’s women’s 7s side wrapped up a hugely successful showing at the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament, finishing in sixth place after a 12-7 defeat to Spain. The squad had three Limerick based players with UL Bohs Louise Galvin & Deirbhile Nic a Bharid and Shannon’s Aoife Doyle.

Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018. England Women vs Ireland Women
Ireland’s Louise Galvin.  Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

A superb win against the English saw Ireland through to a quarter-final date with eventual champions New Zealand, who eased to a 45-0 success.

Ireland then beat Russia to set up a fifth/sixth-placed play-off clash against the Spaniards. Ireland suffered a narrow 12-7 loss but will the women’s 7s program will take huge confidence from the overall performance.

Despite a huge defensive effort, the Ireland Women’s 7s lose 12-7, with the Spainish scoring a last gasp try to win.

Ireland finish in 6th Place at the 2018 @worldrugby7s Rugby World Cup 7s.

Thanks to everyone for their support this season!#IreW7s #RWC7s #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/vsG77AmxFy

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 22, 2018

Ireland women’s squad

Kathy Baker (Blackrock/Leinster), Ashleigh Baxter (Cooke/Ulster), Claire Boles (Railway Union/Ulster), Aoife Doyle (Shannon/Railway Union/Munster), Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/Leinster), Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster), Louise Galvin (UL Bohemian/Munster), Eve Higgins (Railway Union/Leinster), Lucy Mulhall (Rathdrum, capt), Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union/Munster), Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird (UL Bohemians/Munster), Audrey O’Flynn (Ireland Women’s Sevens Programme), Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Meanwhile the mens side claimed the Challenge Trophy with a 24-14 final victory over Australia and record a 9th placed finish overall.

Captain Billy Dardis started the try-scoring and Jimmy O’Brien and replacements Terry Kennedy and Greg O’Shea joined him on the scoresheet as Ireland reeled off four tries to Australia’s two at AT&T Park.

.@IrishRugby close their #RWC7s campaign as Challenge Trophy winners after an incredible victory over @Aussie7s 🏆Captain Billy Dardis reflects on what has been an outstanding tournament from his team in San Francisco pic.twitter.com/TLzjZysmt8

— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) July 23, 2018

Stan McDowell’s side were amongst one of the most free scoring sides of the tournament with 17 tries across the three days with Dardis and Jordan Conroy touching down for 4 tries apiece.

Beating the Australians was all the more impressive considering that speedster talisman Conroy was sidelined early in the game with a head injury.

Vote now for your @DHLRugby Moment That Delivers from Day Three of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018! #RWC7s

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— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) July 23, 2018

Ireland men’s squad

Robert Baloucoune (Enniskillen/Ballymena/Ulster), Jordan Conroy (Buccaneers), Shane Daly (Cork Constitution/Munster), Billy Dardis (UCD, capt), Ian Fitzpatrick (Lansdowne), Foster Horan (Lansdowne), Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster), Terry Kennedy (St Mary’s College), Harry McNulty (UCD), Bryan Mollen (Dublin University), Jimmy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster), John O’Donnell (Lansdowne), Greg O’Shea (Shannon)