Ireland Sevens top pool to remain on track for Olympic qualification

The Ireland men's Sevens team remain on track for an Olympic qualification spot, after making it three wins from three in their European Games pool, with a 19-7 win against Germany.

Following yesterday's comprehensive wins against Poland and Italy, Ireland topped Pool A to secure the number one seed in the knockout phase, and will take on Belgium in the quarter-final this evening at 6.14pm Irish time (live on RTÉ Player).

The winner of the tournament will secure qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

James Toppings side started slowly in this afternoon's final Pool A game against Germany, and after conceding two quick penalties, they found themselves 7-0 behind when Nikolai Karl Klewinghaus found space out on the right wing to outpace the Irish defence and score.

Ireland got back into the game two minutes before half time, winning a turnover in their own half and moving the ball into space as Andrew Smith played in Jack Kelly to touch down, but they still trailed 7-5 at half time after Mark Roche's conversion came back off the post.

It was a much-improved Ireland after the break though, with Jordan Conroy getting them off to the ideal start in the second half when he sprinted down the right touchline to score, which was converted by Billy Dardis.

And after Dardis and Smith combined to win a penalty in the German half, the pair linked out out on the left touchline shortly after, with Smith cutting back inside to run in under the posts, and Dardis converted to give Ireland a 12-point cushion, which they saw out in the final couple of minutes to continue their 100% start.

Should Ireland come through their quarter-final against the Belgians, they will advance to a semi-final against either Spain or Italy, which will be