Ireland Women Close Out Cape Town Campaign With Play-Off Victory

In Pics: Strong Second Half Sees Ireland Women Beat England

Twice coming from behind, Ireland snapped back to lead 14-10 at half-time and further tries from Megan Burns and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe – with her second of the game – clinched the result.

While happy to bounce back from two chastening defeats, there were mixed emotions for Aiden McNulty’s youthful squad as they were hoping to break into the top four after their best ever World Series campaign.

Speaking in the aftermath, Stacey Flood conceded: “I think we only got to show what we can do in the last game – I think it’s quite frustrating to come out with two wins and two losses and only play well in your first and your last game.

“Obviously, those middle two are really important to get in those top tiers and play the teams you want to be playing for medals.

“We are disappointed but, going forward, we know we just have to go back to basics when things aren’t going our way.”

England were first to settle, an excellent solo try from the sidestepping Megan Jones getting them off the mark in the second minute.

Captain Lucy Mulhall led the green wave forward, a couple of incisive carries gaining good yardage and then Flood, attacking off a penalty, used a neat show-and-go to run over to the left of the posts.

The conversion from Mulhall gave Ireland a 7-5 lead, only for England to hit back in the sixth minute. Jade Shekells’ outside break unlocked the defence and Ellie Boatman was up in support to take the final offload and score.

However, the girls in green executed well off a late scrum, Mulhall’s beautifully weighted chip kick into the 22 was chased down by Murphy Crowe for her third try of the weekend. Mulhall’s extras made it 14-10 at the turnaround.

Ireland upped their physicality on the resumption, a big tackle by Eve Higgins set up replacement Katie Heffernan to get the decision at the breakdown.

Murphy Crowe also increased her influence, taking a nice line when running off Mulhall. She soon popped up again, dashing out to the right of the scrum to send the newly-introduced Burns over in the 12th minute.

Erin King also made an impact, forcing another penalty at the breakdown, before Murphy Crowe darted over for the final seven-pointer. Mulhall took two out defenders with a terrific pass with Flood able to spring the winger through.

Flood, who has shown her versatility by playing in the forwards, noted how beneficial this World Cup experience will be in further developing some of the talented youngsters in the group.

They had seven players making their World Cup debuts and nine of the squad are aged between 18 and 24, including Wicklow teenager King. The unfortunately-titled ‘Crusty Dustys’ are Flood (26), Murphy Crowe (27) and Mulhall (28).

“It’s good to get people game-time at a World Cup and know what that feels like,” added the Dubliner. “There’s some young girls in this squad and I’m sure they’ll be around for a few World Cups. They have that in them.”

The Ireland Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams wore their brand new Canterbury kit for the World Cup in Cape Town. Click here to buy the new jerseys online from Intersport Elverys.

IRELAND WOMEN’S SEVENS Squad (Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, September 9-11, 2022):

Kathy Baker (Blackrock College RFC)
Megan Burns (Blackrock College RFC)
Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC)
Katie Heffernan (Railway Union RFC)
Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC)
Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC)
Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC)
Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC)
Kate Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC)
Lucy Mulhall (Wicklow RFC) (capt)
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union RFC)
Beibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC)

IRELAND WOMEN’S RWC Sevens Schedule –

Friday, September 9:

Round Of 16 –

IRELAND 24 BRAZIL 12, Cape Town Stadium
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe 2, Lucy Mulhall, Beibhinn Parsons; Cons: Lucy Mulhall 2
Brazil: Tries: Bianca Silva, Mariana Nicolau; Con: Luiza Campos
HT: Ireland 14 Brazil 12

Match Report: Murphy Crowe Crosses Twice As Ireland Women Advance To Last-Eight

Team: Beibhinn Parsons, Stacey Flood, Eve Higgins, Emily Lane, Lucy Mulhall (capt), Megan Burns, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe.

Subs used: Katie Heffernan, Kate Farrell McCabe, Kathy Baker, Erin King. Not used: Brittany Hogan.

Saturday, September 10:

Championship Quarter-Final –

NEW ZEALAND 28 IRELAND 0, Cape Town Stadium
Scorers: New Zealand: Tries: Niall Williams, Portia Woodman, Alena Saili, Shiray Kaka; Cons: Risi Pouri-Lane 3, Tenika Willison
Ireland: –
HT: New Zealand 7 Ireland 0

Match Report: Ireland Women Knocked Out Of Cup Contention By New Zealand

Team: Beibhinn Parsons, Stacey Flood, Brittany Hogan, Emily Lane, Lucy Mulhall (capt), Megan Burns, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe.

Subs used: Eve Higgins, Kate Farrell McCabe, Kathy Baker. Not used: Katie Heffernan, Erin King.

Sunday, September 11:

Championship 5th-8th Place Play-Off –

IRELAND 0 FIJI 24, Cape Town Stadium
Scorers: Ireland: –
Fiji: Tries: Adi Vani Buleki, Reapi Ulunisau 2, Raijieli Daveua; Cons: Lavenia Cavuru 2
HT: Ireland 0 Fiji 12

Match Report: Ireland Women To Face England In Final World Cup Game

Team: Beibhinn Parsons, Stacey Flood, Eve Higgins, Emily Lane, Lucy Mulhall (capt), Kate Farrell McCabe, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe.

Subs used: Megan Burns, Erin King, Kathy Baker. Not used: Katie Heffernan, Brittany Hogan.

Championship 7th-8th Place Play-Off –

ENGLAND 10 IRELAND 26, Cape Town Stadium
Scorers: England: Tries: Megan Jones, Ellie Boatman
Ireland: Tries: Stacey Flood, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe 2, Megan Burns; Cons: Lucy Mulhall 3
HT: England 10 Ireland 14

Team: Beibhinn Parsons, Stacey Flood, Eve Higgins, Emily Lane, Lucy Mulhall (capt), Kate Farrell McCabe, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe.

Subs used: Erin King, Kathy Baker, Katie Heffernan, Megan Burns. Not used: Brittany Hogan.