It was another disappointing weekend for Ireland Women’s Sevens side who only managed one win in their five matches.
The girls were placed in another strong Pool facing New Zealand and England for the second week running alongside the USA and it would be fair to say that the team found the going difficult in the heat of Brazil.
A first round 36 – 0 loss to New Zealand was followed by a 29 – 7 defeat by England despite holding their near neighbours to 7-all in the first half thanks to a Laura Lee Walsh try and a Claire Keohane conversion.
The USA piled on the agony with a 22 – 0 win in the final pool match putting Ireland in the last four play offs in day two.
The second day opened up with a 30 – 0 defeat by Brazil before the girls found some form with a 17 – 12 win against Argentina in the 11/12 play off. Ireland’s scores in the final match came from a try and conversion from Claire Keohane with Shannon Houston and Nicole Cronin adding a try each.
After a busy two weeks Ireland head home to regroup and switch their focus to the next round in China at the beginning of April.
IRELAND WOMEN’S SEVENS
1. Aisling Naughton (Talent ID Programme)
2. Aoife Doyle (Munster)
3. Christine Arthurs (Connacht)
4. Claire Keohane (Munster)
5. Elaine Ryan (Talent ID Programme)
6. Laura O’Mahony (Munster)
7. Laura Lee Walsh (Talent ID Programme)
8. Megan Williams (Exiles)
9. Niamh Ni Dhroma (Connacht)
10. Nicole Cronin (Munster)
11. Nikki Caughey (Ulster)
12. Shannon Houston (Leinster) (capt)
13. Siobhan Barrett (Munster)
14. Susan Vaughan (Leinster)
