Jack Kelly is pictured in possession during Ireland's clash with Canada at the latest leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Vancouver ©INPHO/TrySportImages/Travis Prior
The Ireland Men’s Sevens team, sponsored by TritonLake, recovered from a disappointing finish to the pool stages as three play-off wins earned them a ninth place finish at the HSBC Canada Sevens.
In Pics: Ireland End Canada Sevens With Three Play-Off Wins
They overcame Kenya (21-14), Wales (14-12) and hosts Canada (17-7) on day two to pick up eight HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series points from the Vancouver leg.
Jordan Conroy and Terry Kennedy scored five tries each, with Kennedy’s haul keeping him at the top of the series’ try-scoring charts for this season, his haul of 32 tries only matched by Australia’s Corey Toole.
After missing out on the Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 2021/22, James Topping’s charges got the better of Kenya thanks to tries from UCD’s Steven Kilgallen – his first on the World Series stage – and Conroy, who touched down either side of half-time.
Ireland had to battle back from a 12-point deficit to edge out Wales, captain Billy Dardis nailing a terrific touchline conversion and Kennedy’s crucial second score seeing him win the race to his own kick through with two minutes left.
Kilgallen crossed again in the 9th place decider against Canada, following in the footsteps of Leinster Academy winger Andrew Smith who opened the scoring with a brilliant 65-metre burst off a lineout steal from Harry McNulty.
Jack Kelly won turnover ball at the breakdown, McNulty’s long pass releasing Kilgallen for a textbook finish in the left corner. Ireland remained 12-0 in front for half-time despite some late Canadian pressure.
A long kick downfield from Smith set up what proved to be a decisive eighth-minute try, as Canada could only respond when Kennedy was in the sin bin for a high tackle.
Conroy was first to the ball, the hosts holding him out but with support from Smith, he got his offload away to Hugo Lennox who fed Kelly for a powerful finish past two defenders.
The victory over Canada was extra special for Tamilore Awonusi, a recent newcomer to the Ireland squad who now has 18 World Series games under his belt.
The 22-year-old is a student of Trinity Western University in nearby Langley, and had a number of Spartans team-mates supporting him in the crowd at BC Place.
Tamilore Awonusi (IQ Rugby)
Jordan Conroy (Buccaneers RFC)
Billy Dardis (Terenure College RFC) (capt)
Jack Kelly (Dublin University FC)
Terry Kennedy (St. Mary’s College RFC)
Steven Kilgallen (UCD RFC)
Hugo Lennox (Skerries RFC)
Matt McDonald (IQ Rugby)
Harry McNulty (UCD RFC)
Gavin Mullin (UCD RFC)
Chay Mullins (IQ Rugby)
Mark Roche (Lansdowne FC)
Andrew Smith (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Saturday, April 16 –
POOL D:
IRELAND 19 SCOTLAND 12, BC Place
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Terry Kennedy, Andrew Smith, Billy Dardis; Cons: Hugo Lennox, Billy Dardis
Scotland: Kaleem Barreto, Jordan Edmunds; Con: Harvey Elms
HT: Ireland 12 Scotland 7
Team: Jack Kelly, Andrew Smith, Tamilore Awonusi, Terry Kennedy (capt), Hugo Lennox, Steven Kilgallen, Chay Mullins.
Subs used: Billy Dardis, Harry McNulty, Matt McDonald, Jordan Conroy, Gavin Mullin.
IRELAND 12 FRANCE 29, BC Place
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Jordan Conroy, Terry Kennedy; Con: Billy Dardis
France: Tries: Nelson Epee 3, Aaron Grandidier, Joachim Trouabal; Cons: Paulin Riva 2
HT: Ireland 12 France 10
Team: Harry McNulty, Jack Kelly, Matt McDonald, Billy Dardis (capt), Terry Kennedy, Gavin Mullin, Chay Mullins.
Subs used: Jordan Conroy, Hugo Lennox, Mark Roche, Andrew Smith. Not used: Tamilore Awonusi.
IRELAND 19 ARGENTINA 26, BC Place
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Jordan Conroy 2, Terry Kennedy; Cons: Mark Roche, Billy Dardis
Argentina: Tries: German Schulz 2, Marcos Moneta, Lautaro Bazan Velez; Cons: Tobias Wade 3
HT: Ireland 7 Argentina 14
Team: Harry McNulty (capt), Andrew Smith, Tamilore Awonusi, Jordan Conroy, Terry Kennedy, Mark Roche, Hugo Lennox.
Subs used: Matt McDonald, Chay Mullins, Billy Dardis, Jack Kelly. Not used: Steven Kilgallen.
Day 1 Round-Up: Ireland Men Miss Out On Cup Quarter-Final Place In Vancouver
In Pics: Ireland Men Finish Third In Canada Sevens Pool
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Canada Sevens Results
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Canada Sevens Pool Tables
Sunday, April 17 –
9TH PLACE QUARTER-FINAL:
IRELAND 21 KENYA 14, BC Place
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Steven Kilgallen, Jordan Conroy 2; Cons: Hugo Lennox 3
Kenya: Tries: Billy Odhiambo, Nelson Oyoo; Cons: Anthony Omondi 2
HT: Ireland 14 Kenya 7
Team: Jack Kelly (capt), Tamilore Awonusi, Matt McDonald, Jordan Conroy, Hugo Lennox, Steven Kilgallen, Chay Mullins.
Subs used: Andrew Smith, Billy Dardis, Harry McNulty, Terry Kennedy. Not used: Mark Roche.
9TH PLACE SEMI-FINAL:
IRELAND 14 WALES 12, BC Place
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Terry Kennedy 2; Cons: Billy Dardis 2
Wales: Tries: Callum Williams, Iwan Pyrs Jones; Con: Luke Treharne
HT: Ireland 0 Wales 12
Team: Harry McNulty, Tamilore Awonusi, Matt McDonald, Billy Dardis (capt), Jordan Conroy, Mark Roche, Chay Mullins.
Subs used: Terry Kennedy, Jack Kelly, Steven Kilgallen, Andrew Smith. Not used: Hugo Lennox.
9TH PLACE FINAL:
CANADA 7 IRELAND 17, BC Place
Scorers: Canada: Try: Anton Ngogo; Con: Cooper Coats
Ireland: Tries: Andrew Smith, Steven Kilgallen, Jack Kelly; Con: Hugo Lennox
HT: Canada 0 Ireland 12
Team: Harry McNulty (capt), Jack Kelly, Andrew Smith, Jordan Conroy, Hugo Lennox, Steven Kilgallen, Chay Mullins.
Subs used: Billy Dardis, Terry Kennedy, Matt McDonald, Tamilore Awonusi, Mark Roche.
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