The Irish Men’s 7’s Rugby team made history in Monaco last night when a 28-19 win over host nation France secured victory in the European Olympic Repechage event and a place on the plane for Tokyo.
The Irish programme was established six years ago just ahead of the sport’s debut at the Rio Olympic games and has progressed from the bottom tier of European competition to this moment that lifts the visibility of the small-sided game to a new level.
Only twelve teams compete in the Olympic tournament which will take place in Tokyo Stadium from the 26th to the 28th of July. Ireland is the last to secure its place and will now join Japan, Fiji, the United States, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Kenya, and South Korea.
“It’s just bizarre,” Ireland captain Billy Dardis said in his post-match TV interview. “You dream of doing something really special, and that’s playing rugby.”
“It’s incredible what we’ve done just over a number of years. It’s absolutely incredible.”
“It’s weird what went on on that pitch, I thought we were out of it for a while in that first half when they had so much possession and they got in front.”
“And, then we just got a few lucky bounces. I think that’s sevens, if the bounce of the ball goes your way, you can end up in the Olympics.”
The win is a huge boost for Triton Lake who came on board as sponsors of the Irish Rugby Men’s and Women’s Sevens programmes only last week. The New York based private equity firm has brought the same kind of lucky charm to qualifying as Softco did for the Women’s Irish Hockey team who the rugby players will now be joining on the biggest stage in world sport.
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