Ireland Shock Australia in Sevens

The wonderful world of sevens rugby! Ireland may have suffered a heavy defeat to Samoa yesterday but they hit the ground running today securing a great win against formidable sevens opposition Australia, 24-21.

It was down to the final play of the game when Ireland’s Gary Brown stole the win in the end with Tom Gleeson securing the conversion.

A great first half display from the Irish coming out of the blocks with three tries, scored by Brian Carney, Felix Jones and Paul Marshall left it 17-7 at the break. 

As ever with sevens rugby, Australia responded well in the second half with the scoreline showing in their favour going into the final minutes, but with a come back of the tournament Ireland secured the win in dramatic fashion to leave it 24-21.

Ireland’s Gary Brown just after the win: “I feel great. We started off the tournamnet with a big beating from Samoa so we really needed to start well against Australia today. It was a great win. I only had a bit to do coming on at the end with a few minutes to go but you still get tired in those two minutes.You never know with Sevens. You have just got to keep your composure, especially when you are in the lead. You have just got to get control of the ball and then keep it. It can be like a game of tennis, with the ball going back and forth, but we are just delighted that we kept our composure and sealed the win.”

Ireland go on to play Portugal this afternoon.

Ireland Rugby World Cup Sevens Squad
Gary Brown                       Blackrock College – Leinster
Kieran Campbell                Galwegians – Connacht Captain
Brian Carney                      Clonakilty – Munster
James Coughlan                 Dolphin – Munster
Conan Doyle                      Garryowen – Munster
Tom Gleeson                     Cork Constitution – Munster
Eoghan Grace                    Shannon – Munster
Felix Jones                         Old Belvedere – Leinster (Moving to Munster)
Paul Marshall                     Ballynahinch – Ulster
Daniel Riordan                   Buccaneers – Connacht
Kyle Tonetti                       Blackrock College – Leinster
Brian Tuohy                       Cornish Pirates

Ireland Sevens Management
Hugh McCaughey            Manager
Jon Skurr                         Coach
Simon Harland                  Doctor
Fergal O’Callaghan        Team Support
Ashley Blair                       Team Support
Vinny Hammond                Team Support