Keenan named in Ireland squad, Wall misses out

Hugo Keenan and Andrew Smith have both been included in the Ireland Men’s Sevens squad for the Olympic Games, while former Meath footballer Vikki Wall has missed out on the Women’s panel.

Leinster full-back Keenan and Connacht wing Smith were previously part of the Sevens programme and reintegrated back into James Topping’s squad last month.

Harry McNulty, who is one of seven players set to become a double Olympian, will captain Ireland Men, while Lucy Rock will lead Ireland Women as Allan Temple-Jones’ side prepare for their maiden Olympic appearance in Paris.

Coming off the back of an impressive HSBC SVNS Series season as they finished second in the overall standings, Ireland Men will once again compete in sport’s showpiece event having made their Olympic debut in Tokyo.

McNulty, Terry Kennedy, Jordan Conroy, Hugo Lennox, Jack Kelly, Gavin Mullin and Mark Roche are in line to represent Team Ireland for the second consecutive Games.

Niall Comerford, Chay Mullins and Zac Ward are also set for their Olympic bows having been integral members of the squad during the SVNS Series campaign.

In addition, Bryan Mollen and Sean Cribbin have been named as travelling reserves and will travel with the squad to Paris.

McNulty said: “It is an incredible honour to lead the squad to this summer’s Olympics. We performed strongly this season with our highest ever finish and it is a great foundation for our prep leading into the Games.

“We have a lot of competition in the squad and it’s driving everyone to push harder every day.”

The tournament takes place between 24-27 July.

Meanwhile, double All-Ireland winner Wall (above), who made a switch from AFLW to try her hand at rugby in September of 2023, has not made Temple-Jones’ 12-woman panel.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport last year, she said: “First and foremost, I’ve been able to play for Ireland, that’s an unbelievable opportunity.

“And then obviously there is the Olympics at the end of the year and you’re not going to lie to yourself, it’s there.”

Rock (below) will captain Ireland Women for their Olympic debut at the Stade de France.

Ashleigh Orchard’s inspiring return to the green jersey continues as she earns selection just 12 months after giving birth to her daughter, Arabella.

Having played key roles in qualification for Paris, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Stacey Flood, Emily Lane, Béibhinn Parsons, Erin King, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Eve Higgins, and Megan Burns are all included, while Kathy Baker has made a strong comeback from a long-term knee injury and teenager Alanna Fitzpatrick – who made her senior debut last summer – completes the travelling squad.

Claire Boles and Amy Larn have been selected as travelling reserves.

Rock said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for the Ireland Sevens programme as two teams prepare to compete in Paris.

“For the Women’s squad, it has been three cycles of hard work, determination and sacrifice to reach this point, and while we are the lucky 12 who get to pull on the Team Ireland jersey this summer, we are representing so much more than ourselves, but the wider squad, our friends, families, former team-mates, backroom staff and everyone who has supported us on the journey.

“To lead this team out at the Olympics will be an extremely proud moment.”

The Women’s tournament takes place from 28-30 July.

The pool draws for the Rugby Sevens tournaments will take place on 23 June.

Ireland Men’s Sevens Squad – Paris 2024:

Niall Comerford (UCD RFC)
Jordan Conroy (Buccaneers RFC)
Hugo Keenan (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Jack Kelly (Dublin University FC)
Terry Kennedy (St Mary’s College RFC)
Hugo Lennox (Skerries RFC)
Harry McNulty (UCD RFC)(capt)
Gavin Mullin (UCD RFC)
Chay Mullins (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht/IQ Rugby)
Mark Roche (Lansdowne FC)
Andrew Smith (Clontarf FC/Connacht)
Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC)

Travelling Reserves:

Sean Cribbin (Suttonians RFC)
Bryan Mollen (UCD RFC)

Ireland Women’s Sevens Squad – Paris 2024:

Kathy Baker (Blackrock College RFC)
Megan Burns (Blackrock College RFC)
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union RFC)
Alanna Fitzpatrick (Portarlington RFC/Blackrock College RFC)
Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC)
Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC)
Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC)
Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC)
Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC)
Ashleigh Orchard (Cooke RFC)
Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC)
Lucy Rock (Wicklow RFC) (capt)

Travelling Reserves:

Claire Boles (Railway Union RFC)
Amy Larn (Athy RFC)

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