IRELAND’S MENS SEVENS side rounded out their Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign in San Francisco by winning the Challenge Trophy
The 24-14 victory over Australia sealed a ninth-place finish with the women’s side earlier claiming sixth.
Ireland struck for four tries — with skipper Billy Dardis leading the way with the first — to Australia’s two at AT&T Park.
The women’s side wrapped up their successful trip with a 12-7 win over Spain on Saturday.
New Zealand became the first team in history to win back-to-back World Cup Sevens crowns, defeating England 33-12 in the final.
The New Zealanders, who had won the last tournament in 2013 in Moscow, had too much class for England on their way to a deserved win, outscoring their opponents by five tries to two.
The victory completed a golden weekend in San Francisco for New Zealand after their women successfully defended their own sevens title on Saturday.
New Zealand’s men and women’s teams now hold world titles in both seven-a-side and 15-a-side versions of the game.
Elsewhere Sunday, Samoa’s campaign ended in disgrace with player Gordon Langkilde thrown out of the tournament for his part in a tunnel bust-up following Saturday’s defeat to Wales.
Wales player Tom Williams suffered a tournament-ending injury in the attack which Welsh players described as “unprovoked.”
World Rugby said in a statement they were investigating the incident.
IRELAND: Harry McNulty, Ian Fitzpatrick, John O’Donnell, Billy Dardis (capt), Hugo Keenan, Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Conroy.
Subs used: Terry Kennedy, Greg O’Shea, Shane Daly, Foster Horan.
Additional reporting AFP
Rip motty.. That iconic voice will never be forgotten. Legend of the game
Gutted. Another childhood legend gone. RIP
I can remember Ricky Villa in 1981, Ray Wilkins in 1983, Norman Whiteside in 1985 and his voice made it so glamorous.
His voice was in your head as you pretended to be those players when you were a kid.
I loved the winning Argentine goal in 86, at the world cup.
I was always disappointed if someone else was commenting on a match, and I know people put him in the same bracket with Barry Davies and Bryan Moore.
Motson was above everyone.
@Matt Vaughan: remember that Ricky Villa commentary from 101 Great Goals VHS tape I used to have. Brilliant for sure!
@Matt Vaughan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS86N47DK-8
@Joe Kennedy: that was brilliant. Fair play Joe. It’s in his voice, it just captures the excitement in the moment. I could listen to clips of the commentary for hours.
You’d almost being running out the back trying to copy what you’ve seen with his words ringing in your head. He captured moments, that were enhanced because of his commentary
@Matt Vaughan: “the big man from Argentina went round 1, 2, 3. Joe Corrigan came to block and Villa squeezed it in!” Brilliant!