McGann returns as Parsons tops try scoring charts
Athlone native Anna McGann and Ballinasloe's Béibhinn Parsons were part of the Ireland squad which finished fifth overall in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Malaga last weekend.
Thanks to impressive wins over England (38-7) and Canada (26-5), it was Ireland's highest finish so far of this season in the series.
In addition, it was the first time Ireland registered four victories in a single World Series tournament.
With strong scoring contributions from Parsons (six tries), Amee Leigh-Murphy Crowe and Eve Higgins (five each), it was Ireland’s best finish since coming fourth in Sydney in February 2019.
Parsons is also a star with the Ireland 15-a-side team and the Ballinasloe woman was recently awarded the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s Player of the Year for the second year running.
McGann from Moydrum, Athlone has endured a number of injury setbacks and this was her first sevens tournament to participate in for some time.
Anna started Ireland's match against Belgium but was withdrawn with concussion, and she will be hoping to fulfil the return to play protocols in time for the next leg in Seville this weekend.
As a teenager, Anna showed considerable prowess in hockey before deciding to concentrate her sporting energies on rugby.
The Ireland squad also contained another player from Westmeath, Katie Heffernan of Mullingar RFC.
The back-to-back wins against England and Canada on the final day saw Ireland pick up 12 ranking points, moving them up to sixth in the World Series standings. Round 4 takes the teams to Seville next weekend.
Ireland Women’s Sevens squad
(HSBC Spain Sevens, Estadio Ciudad de Malaga, Malaga)
Kathy Baker (Blackrock College RFC)
Megan Burns (Blackrock College RFC)
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union RFC)
Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC)
Katie Heffernan (Mullingar RFC/Railway Union RFC)
Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC)
Brittany Hogan (Ballynahinch RFC/Old Belvedere RFC)
Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC)
Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC)
Kate Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC)
Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC)
Lucy Mulhall (Rathdrum RFC) (captain)
Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC)