Ireland Men denied first-ever Sevens series win by New Zealand in Singapore final

Ireland edged a dramatic semi-final against GB before losing to New Zealand in the Singapore final.

IRELAND MEN WERE forced to settle for silver as New Zealand denied them a first-ever Sevens series win in the Singapore final on Sunday.

Ireland had possession in New Zealand territory inside the final minute, and a shot at a historic gold, but Tone Ng Shiu pounced for a decisive turnover penalty with the clock in the red to seal a 17-14 win.

Ireland were chasing a first win in only their third men’s gold medal match, but instead it was New Zealand — appearing in their 111th final — who landed a 69th tournament victory.

The established order prevailed in a first half that was largely played in Irish territory as New Zealand raced into an early 12-0 lead, with both tries coming through moments of brilliant individual opportunism.

Leroy Carter opened the scoring in the first minute when he picked from the base of a ruck inside his own half, spotted the space down Ireland’s blindside, and raced free of Terry Kennedy to score.

And New Zealand were in again on five minutes when Fehi Fineanganofo bounced back to his feet following a tackle by Chay Mullins, picked the ball off the deck, and ran in unopposed under the Irish posts where Andrew Knewstubb converted.

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In danger of being completely overrun, Ireland needed to find a response to stem the tide and it came on the stroke of half time through Gavin Mullin.

Kennedy attacked off a penalty scrum, drawing in the New Zealand defenders, and although his pass wasn’t perfect, Mullin scooped it up to score, leaving Billy Dardis with a tap-over conversion.

Ireland trailed 12-7 at the break but New Zealand captain Dylan Collier restored their margin with four minutes to play, finishing a training-ground play after Connor O’Sullivan had done brilliantly to stop Fineanganofo just short of the line.

With time against them, Jordan Conroy — who was noticeably limping with his left leg strapped — tried to unlock the New Zealand defence with a kick and chase, forcing a penalty for not releasing the ball on the ground.

Ireland moved quickly, and Harry McNulty carved open a space with a brilliant dummy to score and leave it 17-14 with just over two minutes to play.

McNulty then claimed the restart to keep the ball in Ireland’s hands, but it looked as if their final opportunity had been lost when Kennedy was pinged for a high tackle on the New Zealand line.

But Brady Rush knocked the ball on with seconds still on the clock, giving Ireland one last play. Aaron O’Sullivan tried to find his way through the gap he spotted on the wing, but he was isolated and Ng Shiu pounced for the penalty that sealed New Zealand’s win.

Ireland’s runner-up finish sees them cement their place in second in the overall standings — just two point behind leaders Argentina — ahead of the series Grand Final in Madrid later this month, while New Zealand move up to third.

Earlier, Dardis held his nerve over a golden-point penalty for a thrilling semi-final win over Great Britain.

Dardis slotted the penalty for a 15-12 win to send James Topping’s side through to the decider.

Connor O’Sullivan’s early try was enough to give Ireland a 7-5 lead at the break, but after Charlton Kerr nudged GB into the lead early in the second half, it fell to Jordan Conroy to  draw Ireland level and send the semi-final to golden score.

Dardis was given the chance to win it with a penalty in front of the posts two minutes after the hooter, and he slotted it to send Ireland through.

In the women’s tournament, a hattrick from Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe saw Ireland beat Japan 19-17 to finish fifth — a result which seals their place in the top eight ahead of the Grand Final.