Resurgent Ireland eyeing route one to elite club of Sevens World Series

Irish star Jimmy O’Brien says they have taken the fastest possible route to the Hong Kong qualifier and are keen to carry on winning

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Ireland’s Jimmy O’Brien makes a break against Jamaica. Photo: Edward Wong

Published: 8:26pm, 6 Apr 2018Updated: 10:38pm, 6 Apr 2018

Ireland’s intention when they returned from sevens wilderness two years ago was to make it as fast as they could to the elite level. So far, so good.

The Irish won both of their matches at the Sevens World Series Qualifier at the Hong Kong Sevens on Friday to lead pool G and edge closer to qualification for the World Series.

“This is the earliest we could have come to Hong Kong,” said Irish player Jimmy O’Brien, referring to their progress up the levels to the Hong Kong qualifiers. “We started off in Division C of Rugby Europe and we have won every tournament we have played in so we are on target.

“For anyone who plays sevens, playing in Hong Kong is a dream. We have some tough matches coming but hopefully we can do as well as we are within reach of the World Series.”

The Irish opened with a comfortable 41-5 victory over the Cook Islands in pool G and followed up by beating Jamaica 26-0. Their final group match is against Uruguay, who also won both their matches – 22-5 against Jamaica and 38-0 against Cook Islands.

Ireland’s Jimmy O’Brien. Photo: Edward Wong

“It’s going to be tough [against Uruguay], it’s not an easy game because in sevens, it’s so short anything can happen,” said Bryan Mollen. “If we can stay focused for 14 minutes we have a chance.”

Ireland started their campaign to become a world power in sevens a little more than two years ago but they had to start from the bottom, taking part in a Division C tournament in Bosnia.