Navan man Mullins on the mark for Ireland at Olympics

A couple of tries from Navan man Chay Mullins ensured Ireland secured a quarter-final place in the Rugby Sevens with victory over Japan at the Paris Olympics in Stade de France today.

The Rugby Sevens team were the first of Team Ireland into action and they opened with an impressive 10-5 victory over South Africa with Jordan Conroy and Kennedy crossing for the match-winning tries.

With that win under their belt Ireland knew that victory over Japan would secure the last eight place and they claimed an emphatic 40-5 win.

The wins today ensures the clash with New Zealand on Thursday will decide who progresses to the last eight as pool winners and the potentially easier side of the draw.

Terry Kennedy got the opening try inside the first minute against Japan with a powerful break from deep.

Another strong Kennedy run just before half-time allowed Mullins to dot down and give Ireland a 14-0 interval advantage.

Ireland then killed the game off after the resumption as captain Harry McNulty, Niall Comerford, Mullins again and then Zac Ward completed the rout. Shotaro Tsuoka nabbed a consolation for the Japanese.