Parsons and Conroy set for sevens action in Dubai
Ballinasloe native Béibhinn Parsons has been included in the Ireland women's seven squad for the Emirates Dubai Sevens this Friday.
Parsons now plays for Blackrock College and is part of a women's squad which also includes former Mullingar RFC player Katie Heffernan. Meanwhile, Jordan Conroy of Buccaneers RFC has been named in the men's sevens squad.
Both squads are preparing for return of the Emirates Dubai Sevens as a pivotal HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series season kicks into gear in the desert this weekend.
Ireland's men recorded a seventh-place finish in the series opener in Hong Kong last month. And coming off the back of a stellar 2022 - which included the memorable Rugby World Cup Sevens bronze medal - James Topping's side will be bidding to inject positive momentum into their campaign.
Topping has named an established 13-player squad for Dubai, with Ireland paired in Pool C alongside France, Spain and Uganda. The top two sides in each pool advance through to Saturday's quarter-finals.
Dubai marks the start of the 2023 Women's Series and Ireland will be hoping to build on last year's success, particularly with the added motivation of Olympic qualification on the line this year.
The top four finishers in both the men's and women's standings will automatically secure qualification for Paris 2024, with both Ireland squads setting their sights firmly on that goal.
Ireland women's head coach Aiden McNulty has selected a strong 13-player squad for Dubai, with Lucy Mulhall once again set to lead Ireland as they prepare to face Fiji, Spain and Japan on Friday.
McNulty's side will be out to top Pool C to assure themselves of a place in Saturday's knock-out rounds, as only two of the second placed teams will also advance to the quarter-final stage.
Ireland's women open their Dubai campaign against Spain on Friday morning (5am Irish time), before Ireland's men face the same country in their curtain raiser at the Sevens Stadium (6.06am Irish time). The World Series action can be watched live on the World Rugby Sevens website.
Ireland Men's Sevens squad
Niall Comerford (UCD RFC/Leinster), Jordan Conroy (Buccaneers RFC), Sean Cribbin (Suttonians RFC), Ed Kelly (Dublin University FC), Jack Kelly (Dublin University FC), Hugo Lennox (Skerries RFC), Harry McNulty (UCD RFC), Bryan Mollen (UCD RFC), Chay Mullins (Connacht/IQ Rugby), Aaron O’Sullivan (UCD RFC), Mark Roche (Lansdowne FC), Andrew Smith (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC).
Ireland Women's Sevens squad
Kathy Baker (Blackrock College RFC), Megan Burns (Blackrock College RFC), Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union RFC), Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC), Katie Heffernan (Railway Union RFC), Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC), Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC), Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC), Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC), Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC), Kate Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC), Lucy Mulhall (Wicklow RFC, captain), Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC).
Ireland Sevens Schedule (Friday, December 2)
Ireland Women v Spain, Sevens Stadium, 9am local time/5am Irish time
Ireland Men v Spain, Sevens Stadium, 10.06am local time/6.06am Irish time
Ireland Women v Japan, Sevens Stadium, 12.21pm local time/8.21am Irish time
Ireland Men v Uganda, Sevens Stadium, 2.36pm local time/10.36am Irish time
Ireland Women v Fiji, Sevens Stadium, 4.13pm local time/12.13pm Irish time
Ireland Men v France, Sevens Stadium, 7.35pm local time/3.35pm Irish time.