Lucy guides Ireland to historic sixth
Mulhall shines at World Cup
CAPTAIN Lucy Mulhall and the Ireland Women’s Sevens team made history on Sunday as they finished sixth at the World Cup, their highest ever recorded finish at the tournament.
It could have been even better for the Tinahely Tornado and co. but they were pipped in the closing seconds by Spain in their fifth/sixth place play-off in San Francisco.
Spaniard Teresa Bueso Gonez broke Irish hearts with her lastgasp try after the final hooter to see Spain emerge victorious by 12-7.
That defeat shouldn’t take away from this rapidly improving side’s tournament though. With Mulhall as captain and kicker, Ireland, ranked ninth in the world, got the better of both England and Russia, two sides ranked higher than Ireland.
Ireland began their campaign on Friday with their last 16 meeting against England and they shaded a pulsating tie 14-19 with Mulhall landing two conversions in that tie.
Their reward for that was a quarter final spot against overwhelming favourites and eventual champions New Zealand. Ireland were crushed 45-0 by the supremely talented New Zealand side.
On Saturday, Ireland picked themselves up from that defeat for their 5th-8th place play-off against Russia. Mulhall may not have had success from the kicking tee in this one but she went one better as she crossed the line herself to help Ireland to a 20-15 success.
That triumph meant that, irrespective of the result against Spain, Ireland had made history. Ireland fell behind against Spain but a try from Eve Higgins - and a Mulhall conversion- levelled matters. It wasn’t to be for Ireland though as Gonez ran in her late, late try to earn Spain fifth place.
Speaking after the win over Russia, Mulhall confirmed her side’s delight in securing such a high-ranking finish.
‘Finishing in the top-six is really pleasing, we’ve worked hard all year. We’ve a lot of girls (who didn’t make the World Cup squad) sitting at home in Ireland supporting us who played a big role in this.
‘For us to be able to get those results, that’s just what we want to get for those girls at home. I think it’s important for rugby Sevens in Ireland and it’s great to have the men’s team here as well.’