The Ireland Women's Sevens have created history in Perth by defeating home favourites Australia 19-14, to secure the country's first ever gold at a World Series event.
A cup win was certainly on the horizon for this talented and ever improving side, but perhaps was not expected so soon, particularly against the might of the Aussies, who are first in the overall standings.
Ireland Women's Sevens Route To The Final
Ireland finished with two wins and one loss in the pools stages, beating the USA and Japan, with a loss to New Zealand.
It left them third in Pool C, but they qualified comfortably for the quarter-finals as one of the top eight sides.
They subsequently scraped past Fiji 14-12, before sweeping aside Great Britain 31-7 to book their place in the final.
READ HERE: IRFU Reach Agreement To Add XVs Stars To Ireland Sevens Olympic Team
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Championing when it matters 🏆
Lucy Mulhall is the @HSBCSport Player of the Final!#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER | @LucyMulhall | @Ireland7s pic.twitter.com/xilmGwY9hk
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 28, 2024
Introducing your #HSBCSVNSPER champions ☘️#HSBCSVNS | @Ireland7s pic.twitter.com/l00sl6dF5m
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 28, 2024
The green machine were dominate from start to finish ☘️#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER | @Ireland7s https://t.co/Zye9D3eQZ2 pic.twitter.com/VHrMCVlmuS
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 28, 2024
How Ireland Sevens Beat Australia
Ireland went down 7-0 to an early try, but responded immediately with a score of their own from Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, after some nice inter-play with Beibhinn Parsons.
Ireland dominated territory and possession for the rest of the half, and after numerous infringements from Australia, they were shown a yellow card, after which Ireland managed to score a comfortable close range try from Lucy Mulhall to make it 14-7.
Australia levelled proceedings after half-time, but Lucy Higgins went over with just a minute left on the clock.
A clutch kick-off from Lucy Mulhall - who also converted the first two tries and got Player of the Final - forced a knock-on from Australia and allowed Ireland to close out the game.
The leg win puts Ireland puts Ireland fourth in the overall standing with 38 points, just six behind France, and 20 behind the Australians.
Ireland Men's Sevens defeated Fiji to earn a bronze medal, in what has been the country's most successful World Series weekend.
A massive statement with the Olympics on the horizon.
SEE ALSO: Ireland U20s 2019 Grand Slam Winners: Where Are They Now
