Pool C: Ireland 48 Romania 0

Ireland got their challenge for Olympic qualification off to a flyer scoring four tries each half in their win against Romania.

Murphy-Crowe opened the scoring in the first half with Galvin and Flood following her over the line shortly after. Tyrrell crossed late in the half and the teams turned round with Ireland leading 26 – 0 with Mulhall adding three conversions.

Tyrrell completed her brace at the start of the second half, and Lane and Higgins both crossed, before Murphy-Crowe popped up at the end for her second try of the game. Higgins only landed one conversion in the second half giving Ireland a 48 – 0 win.

Ireland scorers:
TRY: Amee-Leigh Murphy-Crowe (2), Louise Galvin, Stacy Flood, Hannah Tyrrell (2), Emily Lane, Eve Higgins. CON: Lucy Mulhall (3), Eve Higgins

Pool C: Ireland 50 Czechia 0

It was another regulation eight try win for Ireland in this one with five tries in the first half and three in the second.

Galvin opened the scoring for Ireland before Murphy-Crowe bagged a brace as Ireland moved up through the gears. Baker was next to cross before Murphy-Crowe completed a first half hat trick.

Mulhall converted all five tries to give Ireland a 35 – 0 lead at the break.

The pace slowed somewhat in the second half but Higgins found herself on the end of the final pass for a quick brace of tries before Megan Burns crossed for the final score. There were no conversions in the second half leaving Ireland with a 50 – 0 win.

Ireland scorers.
TRY: Louise Galvin, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (3), Kathy Baker, Eve Higgins (2) Megan Burns. CON: Lucy Mulhall (5)

Pool C: Spain 19 Ireland 5

Ireland stumbled at their first meeting with one of the other “big five” sides as Spain took control of Pool C with a three try to one win.

The Spanish side were the only scorers in the first half taking a 12 – 0 lead into the break thanks to tries from Erbina and Fresneda and a conversion from Garcia.  Ireland’s Baker was yellow carded at the end of the first period for indiscipline.

Spain took advantage of their extra player on resumption with Martinez crossing and Garcia converting to take the lead to 19 – 0.

In a somewhat indecisive second half performance Ireland eventually found the line through Mulhall, but it was too little too late leaving Spain progressing as Pool champions and Ireland going through in second place.

Ireland scorers.
TRY: Lucy Mulhall