Mulhall magic helps Ireland win major title
WICKLOW’S Lucy Mulhall played a captain’s role for the Irish rugby sevens team in Dubai last week when she guided her side to victory in the Challenge Trophy after overcoming the USA and Spain - two teams that finished well ahead of them in last season’s HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series.
A storming second half comeback in the intense Arabian heat saw Ireland secure a thrilling 14-12 win over Spain in the final at the Sevens Stadium, the spoils for the victors being a ninth place finish overall and four World Series points.
“We’re happy to have walked away with a (final) win there today. Day one didn’t go as planned and we really want to be playing in the top eight. We were disappointed last night,” said Lucy, sho is a member of Rathdrum RFC and a former Wicklow ladies footballer.
“But to wake up this morning and put together a convincing performance against the USA and then, when everything got hard and we were 12 points down against Spain, to fight back and win the second half 14-0, it’s just phenomenal and I’m very proud of the girls.”
The Crossbridge native was magnificent over the two days, finishing as the tournament’s leading carrier (28) and jointfifth top tackler (19). With 12 tries, Ireland finished ahead of Spain, South Africa, the USA and Brazil in the try-scoring stakes.
Lucy’s try midway through the second half of the game against spain was superb and along with her conversion pushed her team ahead for the first time in the game.