The Ireland women's team wrapped up a hugely successful showing at the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament, finishing in sixth place after a 12-7 defeat to Spain.
A memorable vicotry against the English earned Ireland a quarter-final date with eventual champions New Zealand, who eased to a 45-0 success.
Ireland subsequently beat Russia to set up a fifth/sixth-placed play-off clash against the Spaniards, and though they lost at AT&T Park, plenty of positives will be taken from the performances in the States.
The Black Ferns became the first team in history to win back-to-back Rugby World Cup Sevens titles after beating France 29-0 in today’s final thanks to a hat-trick from 22-year-old Michaela Blyde.
Australia claimed the bronze medal with a hard fought 24-14 victory over hosts USA on a day when a a noisy and enthusiastic crowd of over 33,000 packed in to the spectacular AT&T Park, home of the San Francsico Giants.
France had earlier dug deep to overcome Australia 19-12 in a thrilling semi-final while the indomitable Kiwis came from behind to defeat a spirited USA side 26-21.
Meanwhile, Ireland's men can look forward to Challenge semi-final meeting with Wales this evening (7.34pm).
Jordan Conroy ran in for a hat-trick as Kenya were put to the sword 24-14.
Having edged past Chile Billy Dardis and Co were heavily defeated by South Africa in the round of 16 but can end the campaign on a high with two more wins.
Ireland women's squad
Kathy Baker (Blackrock/Leinster), Ashleigh Baxter (Cooke/Ulster), Claire Boles (Railway Union/Ulster), Aoife Doyle (Shannon/Railway Union/Munster), Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/Leinster), Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster), Louise Galvin (UL Bohemian/Munster), Eve Higgins (Railway Union/Leinster), Lucy Mulhall (Rathdrum, capt), Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union/Munster), Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird (UL Bohemians/Munster), Audrey O'Flynn (Ireland Women's Sevens Programme), Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Ireland men's squad
Robert Baloucoune (Enniskillen/Ballymena/Ulster), Jordan Conroy (Buccaneers), Shane Daly (Cork Constitution/Munster), Billy Dardis (UCD, capt), Ian Fitzpatrick (Lansdowne), Foster Horan (Lansdowne), Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster), Terry Kennedy (St Mary's College), Harry McNulty (UCD), Bryan Mollen (Dublin University), Jimmy O'Brien (UCD/Leinster), John O'Donnell (Lansdowne), Greg O'Shea (Shannon)
