Hugo Keenan made his Ireland Sevens return in Madrid this afternoon helping James Topping's side to a 26-21 victory over South Africa.
Ireland full-back Keenan, part of the Leinster team beaten in Saturday's Champions Cup final, played the first half of the team's first Pool B clash at the Metropolitano Stadium.
The 27-year-old decided to return to the Sevens code after a five-year break with the summer Olympics in Paris in mind.
Terry Kennedy, scorer of Ireland's first try, said of the Leinster player's return: "It's brilliant, Hugo is a good mate of mine, I played up through all the age groups with him, it's great to have him back.
"He started the first game there and did quite well, it's great to have him on board."
All the offloads for @Ireland7s 🤩
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Gavin Mullin gets the winning score against South Africa in #HSBCSVNSMAD 🙌#HSBCSVNS pic.twitter.com/XoXIkQRvpe
Trailing 14-7 at the break, Ireland fell further behind but a Zac Ward try and two from Gavin Mullins, including the winner three minutes into second-half overtime, saw Topping's side prevail.
Connacht's Andrew Smith, who was also previously a member of the Sevens panel, came on as a second-half replacement.
Ireland take on Fiji (12.06pm) and New Zealand (3.11pm) tomorrow.
Earlier, Fiji scored a converted try with the last play of the game to beat New Zealand 28-26.
Meanwhile, Ireland Women began their campaign with a 33-14 defeat to Australia.
Allan Temple-Jones' side face France (11am) and Fiji (2.05pm) tomorrow in Pool B.
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