Hugo Keenan discovers Olympic Games fate as Team Ireland name squads
Hugo Keenan of Ireland reacts during the HSBC Rugby SVNS Series match played between Ireland and New Zealand at Civitas Metropolitano stadium on June 01, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. AFP7 01/06/2024 (Europa Press via AP)
International rugby star Hugo Keenan has been included in the Ireland Sevens men’s squad for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Team Ireland confirmed on Monday.
The upcoming tournament will be played at the Stade de France, with head coaches James Topping (men’s) and Allan Temple-Jones (women’s) announcing their squads.
Leinster’s Keenan has been named in the men’s squad which will be led by captain Harry McNulty, who is one of seven players set to become a double Olympian next month.
Andrew Smith also named
McNulty, Terry Kennedy, Jordan Conroy, Hugo Lennox, Jack Kelly, Gavin Mullin and Mark Roche are the other Ireland players in line to run out in their second Olympic Games.
Also joining XVs regular Keenan in the men’s Sevens squad is Connacht’s Andrew Smith, with Niall Comerford, Chay Mullins and Zac Ward making up the other spots.
“It is an incredible honour to lead the squad to this summer’s Olympics,” said McNulty. “We performed strongly this season with our highest ever finish and it is a great foundation for our preparations leading into the Games. We have a lot of competition in the squad and it’s driving everyone to push harder every day.
“Paris is coming along very quickly and we are excited for the weeks ahead. We are working really hard to make sure we are in the best shape, mentally and physically, for the Games to maximise our potential and chase our Olympic medal ambitions.”
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In addition to the squad, Bryan Mollen and Sean Cribbin are included as travelling reserves, with the men’s tournament set to take place on July 24, 25 and 27.
The women’s action is scheduled for July 28, 29 and 30, with Lucy Rock captaining the team and she admits it will be an “extremely proud moment” to lead the side out.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for the Ireland Sevens programme as two teams prepare to compete in Paris,” she said.
“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.”
Ashleigh Orchard, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Stacey Flood, Emily Lane, Béibhinn Parsons, Erin King, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Eve Higgins, Megan Burns, Kathy Baker and Alanna Fitzpatrick complete the squad, with Claire Boles and Amy Larn selected as travelling reserves.
Ireland men’s Sevens squad
Niall Comerford, Jordan Conroy, Hugo Keenan, Jack Kelly, Terry Kennedy, Hugo Lennox, Harry McNulty (c), Gavin Mullin, Chay Mullins, Mark Roche, Andrew Smith, Zac Ward
Travelling reserves: Sean Cribbin, Bryan Mollen
Ireland women’s Sevens squad
Kathy Baker, Megan Burns, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Alanna Fitzpatrick, Stacey Flood, Eve Higgins, Erin King, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Emily Lane, Ashleigh Orchard, Béibhinn Parsons, Lucy Rock (c)
Travelling reserves: Claire Boles, Amy Larn