Ireland's Women's Seven side have secured a coveted place in the 2015 /16 World Rugby Sevens series.
With two places up for grabs Ireland went in to today’s knockout stage knowing that a place in the final would be enough to achieve their goal.
The hosts overcame China 27-5 this morning in their quarter-final clash to advance to the last four.
The Ireland women marched into the Women’s sevens qualifiers final at Belfield and booked a place in the World Series with a brilliant 26-14 victory over South Africa.
Tries from Katie Fitzhenry, Lucy Mulhall (2) and Alison Miller powered Ireland past the Boks and into a decider against Japan.
In the final, Japan got the better of the opening exchanges, but a breakaway try for Amee-Leigh Crowe put Ireland in the driving seat, captain Lucy Mulhall converted to put Ireland 7-0 ahead.
They extended that lead at the start of the second half, with Crowe again crossing the whitewash, although this time captain Mulhall was wide with her conversion attempt.
©INPHO/Gary Carr
With three minutes to play Japan were throwing everything they had at Ireland, and got over for their first score when Yoki Suziki crossed for a try.
The conversion was missed by Yume Okuroda, but the gap was down to two when Japan scored a second try with 1:22 to play.
It looked like Ireland would hang on, but four seconds from time a high tackle and yellow card from Ashleigh Baxter gave Okuroda a penalty and a shot of goal, which she sent between the posts for an incredible win.
©INPHO/Gary Carr
