The Ireland Men’s Sevens squad warmed up for next weekend’s Olympic Sevens qualifier by winning the first leg of the Rugby Europe Men’s Sevens Trophy in Malmo, Sweden yesterday.
IN PICS: IRELAND MEN WIN IN MALMO
Coached by Stan McDowell and James Topping, Ireland certainly saved their best for last as they dominated hosts Sweden in the Cup final, running out 57-0 winners to secure their third piece of European silverware after last summer’s Division C and B title wins.
St. Mary’s College clubman Steve Toal-Lennon ran in a hat-trick of tries against the Swedes, with Barry Daly (2), captain Tom Daly, Harry McNulty, Ian Fitzpatrick and Dan Goggin also touching down and Billy Dardis adding six conversions.
The Rugby Europe Trophy competition is held over two legs, with the second leg taking place in Prague on July 2-3. The overall winners will be promoted onto the Rugby Europe Men’s Sevens Grand Prix Series for 2017 with the likes of the English, Scottish and Russian Sevens sides.
Ireland came through the opening day in Malmo as Pool C winners after beating Latvia (36-5), Israel (41-7) and Monaco (42-5) where the four new caps – Matthew Oppermann, Goggin, Dardis and Stephen Fitzgerald – acquitted themselves well.
They started Sunday will a very physical Cup quarter-final against Cyprus where they had to defend for long periods, but tries from Goggin, Alex Wootton, McNulty, Shane Layden and Dardis saw them advance on a 31-12 scoreline.
Semi-final opponents Ukraine were another big side who challenged the Irish around the breakdown and were direct when attacking. After trailing 21-0 at half-time, the Ukrainians came back strongly with three tries to make for a close finish at 26-17.
In front of their home support, Sweden were determined to put it up to Ireland in a much-anticipated Cup decider. However, Ireland had other ideas and the excellent execution of restarts by both Dardis and Goggin starved the hosts of possession.
That enabled the attacking skills of Barry Daly and Toal-Lennon to shine, and Ireland built up a commanding lead. Returning from resting for the two previous fixtures, skipper Tom Daly showed his quality in controlling the game.
UCD clubman McNulty continues to impress with his ability to work and win back ball at the breakdown, while Leinster Academy member Fitzpatrick also made an impact when coming on, catching the Swedes with some momentum-stopping tackles.
The Ireland Men, who scored 37 tries over the weekend and conceded eight, are building towards the Global Olympic Qualifying tournament which takes place at Monaco’s Stade Louis II next Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available to buy here.
One nation will emerge from the 16 competing teams to qualify for the Olympics in Rio, with Ireland handed a very tough draw in Pool A alongside Samoa, Zimbabwe and Tonga. The full pools and fixtures are listed here.
RUGBY EUROPE MEN’S SEVENS TROPHY:
MALMO FINAL POSITIONS –
1. IRELAND (Cup champions) (20 series points)
2. Sweden (18 points)
3. Ukraine (16 points)
4. Moldova (14 points)
5. Romania (Plate champions) (12 points)
6. Israel (10 points)
7. Cyprus (8 points)
8. Latvia (6 points)
9. Czech Republic (Bowl champions) (4 points)
10. Denmark (3 points)
11. Slovenia (2 points)
12. Monaco (1 point)
IRELAND MEN’S SEVENS Squad (Rugby Europe Men’s Sevens Trophy Leg 1, Malmo Rugby Club, Malmo, Sweden, June 11-12):
Adam Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
Barry Daly (UCD)
Tom Daly (Lansdowne/Leinster) (capt)
Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster)
Ian Fitzpatrick (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster)
Dan Goggin (Young Munster/Munster)
Shane Layden (Buccaneers)
Harry McNulty (UCD)
Matthew Oppermann (Lansdowne)
Steve Toal-Lennon (St. Mary’s College)
Alex Wootton (Garryowen/Munster)
IRELAND MEN’S SEVENS – MALMO RESULTS:
Saturday, June 11 –
POOL C:
LATVIA 5 IRELAND 36, Malmo Rugby Club
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Dan Goggin, Alex Wootton, Barry Daly, Ian Fitzpatrick, Shane Layden, Matthew Oppermann; Cons: Steve Toal-Lennon 3
IRELAND: Dan Goggin, Harry McNulty, Barry Daly, Adam Byrne, Steve Toal-Lennon, Tom Daly (capt), Alex Wootton.
Subs used: Shane Layden, Ian Fitzpatrick, Stephen Fitzgerald, Billy Dardis, Matthew Oppermann.
ISRAEL 7 IRELAND 41, Malmo Rugby Club
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Dan Goggin, Billy Dardis, Steve Toal-Lennon, Shane Layden, Tom Daly, Adam Byrne, Ian Fitzpatrick; Cons: Billy Dardis, Steve Toal-Lennon, Tom Daly
IRELAND: Shane Layden, Adam Byrne, Ian Fitzpatrick, Stephen Fitzgerald, Billy Dardis, Tom Daly (capt), Alex Wootton.
Subs used: Dan Goggin, Harry McNulty, Barry Daly, Steve Toal-Lennon, Matthew Oppermann.
MONACO 5 IRELAND 42, Malmo Rugby Club
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Tom Daly, Steve Toal-Lennon, Harry McNulty, Dan Goggin, Barry Daly 2; Cons: Tom Daly 2, Steve Toal-Lennon 4
IRELAND: Dan Goggin, Harry McNulty, Barry Daly, Adam Byrne, Steve Toal-Lennon, Tom Daly (capt), Matthew Oppermann.
Subs used: Shane Layden, Ian Fitzpatrick, Stephen Fitzgerald, Billy Dardis, Alex Wootton.
Sunday, June 12 –
CUP QUARTER-FINAL: IRELAND 31 CYPRUS 12, Malmo Rugby Club
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Dan Goggin, Alex Wootton, Harry McNulty, Shane Layden, Billy Dardis; Cons: Billy Dardis 3
IRELAND: Shane Layden, Dan Goggin, Harry McNulty, Stephen Fitzgerald, Steve Toal-Lennon, Billy Dardis, Alex Wootton.
Subs used: Barry Daly, Adam Byrne, Ian Fitzpatrick, Matthew Oppermann.
CUP SEMI-FINAL: UKRAINE 17 IRELAND 26, Malmo Rugby Club
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Dan Goggin, Barry Daly 3; Cons: Billy Dardis 3
IRELAND: Dan Goggin, Harry McNulty, Barry Daly, Adam Byrne, Steve Toal-Lennon, Billy Dardis, Alex Wootton.
Subs used: Ian Fitzpatrick, Stephen Fitzgerald, Matthew Oppermann.
CUP FINAL: SWEDEN 0 IRELAND 57, Malmo Rugby Club
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Steve Toal-Lennon 3, Barry Daly 2, Tom Daly, Harry McNulty, Ian Fitzpatrick, Dan Goggin; Cons: Billy Dardis 6
IRELAND: Dan Goggin, Harry McNulty, Barry Daly, Adam Byrne, Steve Toal-Lennon, Billy Dardis, Tom Daly (capt).
Subs used: Shane Layden, Ian Fitzpatrick, Stephen Fitzgerald, Matthew Oppermann.
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