Hong Kong Sevens: rising force Ireland say ‘our grit comes from having point to prove’, make hosts rue sliding doors moment
- Ireland, lying second in world series standings, well positioned to reach quarter-finals after beating Samoa
- The European champions have improved since qualifying for the world series five years ago at Hong Kong’s expense
Harry McNulty was still coated in sweat and recovering his breath following Ireland’s defeat by South Africa on Friday, but the captain of rugby sevens’ coming force effortlessly flipped his mind back to the country’s humble beginnings in the sport.
Ireland, who finished day one of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens nicely poised, after beating Samoa in their second match, were late to the sevens party, establishing a full-time programme only in May 2015.
They began in Rugby Europe Division C, playing against Turkey, Montenegro and Belarus.
“I think our grit, desire and passion comes from wanting to show people we can compete with the world’s best teams, after starting in the lowest division in Europe,” McNulty told the Post.
“That drive is something special, we have a history like none of the other world series teams. Ours is a very different journey, and I am really proud of it.”
This season, Ireland, the reigning European champions, sit second in the world series standings. They were World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, and, in the same year boasted the men’s sevens player of the year, Terry Kennedy.
