Hugo Keenan has been named in the Ireland rugby seven’s teams for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Harry McNulty will captain the men’s team, which recently finished second in the World Series.
Whereas, Lucy Rock (formerly Mulhall) has been named captain of the women’s team, having qualified for their first Olympic Games this summer. Indeed, head coaches of the teams, James Topping and Allan Temple-Jones have named their 12-player squads.
Hugo Keenan and Connacht’s Andrew Smith are included for the Olympics along with seven Tokyo Olympians. Keenan has won 39 caps for the Ireland XV team, including two grand slams. Keenan has won four pro14’s with Leinster.
“It is an incredible honour to lead the squad to this summer's Olympics” said men’s captain Harry McNulty.
“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”.
"Paris is coming along very quickly and we are excited for the weeks ahead” added McNulty.
“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.”
Lucy Rock to captain women's team
“This is an incredibly exciting time for the Ireland sevens programme as two teams prepare to compete in Paris” said women’s captain Lucy Rock.
“For the Women's squad, it has been three cycles of hard work, determination and sacrifice to reach this point! 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” added Rock.
Indeed, the Rugby Sevens events will be held in the Stade de France and are amongst the first competitions at the Paris Olympics. The men’s events run from the 24–27 August. Whereas, the women’s events from the 28–30 July.
Team Ireland paris rugby sevens
Men’s Team:
Niall Comerford
Jordan Conroy (Tokyo Olympian)
Hugo Keenan
Jack Kelly (Tokyo Olympian)
Terry Kennedy (Tokyo Olympian)
Hugo Lennox (Tokyo Olympian)
Harry McNulty (Tokyo Olympian)
Gavin Mullin (Tokyo Olympian)
Chay Mullins
Mark Roche (Tokyo Olympian)
Andrew Smith
Zac Ward
Travelling reserves: Bryan Mollen (Tokyo Olympian), Sean Cribbin
Women’s Team:
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
Travelling Reserves: Claire Boles, Amy Larn
