Both Irish 7s teams fall at quarter-finals stage in Dubai

Ireland men's and women's sides both fell to quarter-final defeats at the Dubai Sevens on Sunday.

James Topping's men's team were beaten 29-24 by Fiji, while Allan Temple-Jones’ women’s team went down 14-12 to Canada.

Ireland conceded all of their scores to the Fijians in the first half, before firing back through tries from Terry Kennedy, Zac Ward, Jordan Conroy and McNulty.

However, they fell short, with Fiji going on to lose their semi-final against South Africa. On the plus side, Ireland went on to beat Samoa 28-7 in the 5th/6th place play-off.

Defending champions South Africa beat Argentina 12-7 in a thumping encounter to claim their fifth straight Dubai 7s title.

Ireland's women's team were tied 7-7 at half-time against Canada, after a converted Lucy Mulhall try, before Canada got away from them in the second half.

A late Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe score wasn't enough to claim a place in the last four. Ireland suffered further defeat to Fiji in the 5th/6th place play-off by a score of 24-19.

Teagan Levi touched down either side of half-time as Australia ended New Zealand's 41-match winning streak to claim their fourth consecutive title in Dubai.

Not to be overshadowed by her younger sister, Maddison Levi broke her own tournament try record, her 12th try of the weekend in the 13th minute was the decisive one.