CONOR McGREGOR AND UFC featherweight world champion Jose Aldo rounded off their promotional tour this afternoon in Dublin ahead of this summer’s highly-anticipated bout.
The pair will clash at UFC 189 in Las Vegas on 11 July and they fielded questions from a raucous Irish crowd today at the Convention Centre.
Afterwards, Ireland’s seven other UFC fighters — Joseph Duffy, Norman Parke, Cathal Pendred, Aisling Daly, Neil Seery, Paddy Holohan and Paul Redmond — conducted a Q&A session.
Might have missed it but did the IRFU ever clarify why Ireland is the only top tier nation, possibly one of the only rugby nations, that never invested in 7s? Is there actually a good reason? The 7s circuit is huge, a 7s event in Dublin would be class, it always attracts a crowd.
They did, they said that costs were too high and were better spent on the 15s game. It was David Nucifora that convinced them that it would be an effective pathway for developing players that may otherwise slip through. I’ve seen it suggested that they would have to be seen to be running a 7s program to help with the RWC2023 bid. Not sure about that one though.
There are 7s events in Ireland. Dublin 7s was about a month ago in Donnybrook. Then obviously there’s Kinsale 7s which has a big draw.
Think he meant a world series event
Spain got the last spot in the last second of the final against Samoa . They had beaten Ireland in the quarters . Ireland did well to get so far considering they have only one full season under their belts.
Definitely. Qualification for 2020 was always the goal so to get so close for 2016 is great encouragement.
Sean, what’s the story with Olympic qualification? Has that ship sailed or are we still in with a chance?
Spain got the last spot