Roscommon woman part of historic victory for Ireland Rugby Sevens team

A County Roscommon woman is celebrating this week after playing her part in a milestone success for the Ireland Women’s Rugby Sevens team.

Creagh native Aoibheann Reilly was part of the squad that won the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Perth on Sunday last.

The victory over the host team Australia was Ireland’s first-ever series Gold Medal win. The success was even more significant as they defeated the hot favourites in their own back yard in front of 25,000 fans at the HBF Stadium.

Daughter of Stephen and Fionnuala Reilly, Aoibheann is a former Pádraig Pearses and Roscommon U-16 ladies’ footballer. She is a dual rugby player who is involved with both the Ireland 7s and the Ireland 15s teams.

She made her Six Nations debut for the Ireland 15s team against Wales in March 2022. Her brother Conor is part of the Connacht Rugby men’s first team squad.

Aoibheann played against Japan and she also scored an important try against New Zealand during the earlier pool matches to earn Ireland a significant bonus point.

She was subsequently sprung from the bench against Great Britain in the semi-final. She also played an influential role against Australia in the Grand Final, which led to Eve Higgins scoring the winning try.

Another member of the team, Beibhinn Parsons from Ballinasloe, went to the same national school as Aoibheann in Creagh, South Roscommon, as did Republic of Ireland women’s soccer international, Heather Payne.

The Ireland Women’s Sevens team have already qualified for the Paris Olympics which will take place in late July.