Ireland men's debut as a core team on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series ended in a narrow defeat to the USA.
The Americans were the only team to reach every semi-final on the 2019 series in the USA.
Carlin Isles raced away for the opening try before series debutant Aaron O'Sullivan replied for Ireland.
The Sevens Eagles did, though, take a 12-10 lead into half-time after Danny Barrett powered over.
Jordan Conroy was denied a try when referee Richard Kelly judged the final pass to be forward and it wasn't long before Perry Baker raced away to score and Barrett added his second.
Ireland did have the final say, though, with Terry Kennedy and Jack Kelly tries making the final score 24-21.
Meanwhile, the Irish women's team lost out to Spain.
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, the top try scorer on the 2019 series, scored the first try after a line-break by Kathy Baker created space in the Spanish defence.
The flyer then chased down Iera Echebarria to deny Spain a quick reply, before a dummy from Baker saw her double Ireland's lead to 10-0.
However, with seconds to go to half-time Spain put Patricia Garcia into space to score in their 200th match in series history.
Garcia then showed nerves of steel with time up on the clock to convert Maria Garcia's try and snatch a 12-10 victory for Las Leonas.
#Ireland7s
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) December 5, 2019
A new chapter for #IreM7s begins under the desert lights in Dubai ☘️
We're back in action on Friday morning against 🇦🇺 at 11.58am local time/7.58am Irish time. #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/sScYttJshq
