Niall Comerford, aged 24, a proud member of the UCD club, originates from Shankill, Dublin. With no previous experiences in any Olympics events, he has a unique journey. He initially found passion in hurling and Gaelic football, engaging in matches for Kilmacud Crokes and developing his love for soccer. His Rugby career started in Blackrock, where he played as a flanker initially, later transitioning to a wing on the senior team. Securing a UCD scholarship, he joined the Leinster Academy and played for Ireland under-20s. In 2020, he switched to Sevens. Along with Andrew Smith and Hugo Keenan, he represented Ireland in a Leinster A match and will do the same at the forthcoming Paris Olympics.
Jordan Conroy aged 30 and associated with the Buccaneers Club, had participated in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The very first Irish Sevens superstar was born in Munich and shifted to Tullamore at the age of 10 to live with his mother. He recently opened up about enduring domestic abuse as a child from his stepfather. His exceptional pace and an outstanding try-scoring record have earned him an impressive reputation in the Sevens, particularly his face-offs with American opponents like Carlin Isles and Perry Baker. Despite not being the same key player anymore, hes continued to demonstrate an impressive ability to score crucial tries for his team. His presence will be significant if his team aims to do well in Paris.
Hugo Keenan, aged 28, aligned to the UCD and Leinster clubs, is probably the most known player within the Sevens squad. His fame is due to his regular job as a fullback for XV’s and participation in the previous World Cup. Unlike Antoine Dupont from France, Keenan originated from Sevens, although other renowned players like Dupont certainly bring more prestige to the tournament. He joined the Irish team camp in 2017 and participated in the 2017 Sevens Grand Prix Series. The longer form of the game, with Leinster and Ireland, remained his main focus until he chose to participate in the Olympics this year. He had also participated in the Sevens Grand Final in Madrid in late May.
Jack Kelly is a 26-year-old Dublin University club player.
Before joining the Olympics in Tokyo 2020, Kelly, a young rugby trainee with Ireland’s senior team, endured some initial challenges due to injuries. Despite his setbacks, the Trinity scholar and former St. Michael’s College and Irish under-20s player managed to secure a spot in the Leinster Academy, eventually making his senior debut in 2018. Noticing Kelly’s potential for Sevens Rugby, Anthony Eddy convinced him to switch. As a veteran of the unsuccessful Tokyo Olympics and a quick fullback in XVs, Kelly has become one of Ireland’s physically demanding forwards. However, he had to postpone his law career to participate in Paris.
Terry Kennedy, aged 27, followed in the footsteps of his father, a former international player from the 70s and 80s, to become an accomplished Sevens rugby player. Formerly a member of St Mary’s College and the Irish under-20s team, he found success in the Sevens format, earning the title of the World Sevens Player of the Year in 2022. After an extended period in Australia, he is anticipated to provide an impactful performance for Ireland at Stade de France.
Hugo Lennox, a 25-year-old Skerries RFC player, inaugurated his Sevens rugby career back in 2018. Balancing his career as a real estate professional, Lennox, a graduate of Maynooth University, has been one of the most influential players in rugby’s seven-a-side version. Despite a disappointing finish for Ireland in Tokyo, a motivated Lennox is eager to leave a mark in Paris.
Lastly, Harry McNulty, the 31-year-old captain and a member of the UCD club, is a notable figure. Despite their varied backgrounds, these athletes all share a common goal – to bring glory to Ireland in the world of rugby.
Rewritten Text: /”Past Olympic Games: 2020 in Tokyo
McNulty is amongst the seven Olympians that are making a comeback in this team from the previous Olympics in Tokyo. He’s been a key figure since the formation of the Sevens team in 2015. McNulty assumed captaincy during the Dubai leg last year, stepping in for an injured Billy Dardis who had to sit out on the Olympics. Renowned for his role as a forward, McNulty is relied upon for regaining possession during kick-offs for Ireland. McNulty, a Bahraini-born who was educated in the USA, is recognised for his social media prowess. Before joining the Sevens, McNulty played at the Munster academy for a brief period of two years. He also dabbled with 15s, taking the field for the LA Giltinis before their expulsion from Major League Rugby.
Gavin Mullin
Age: 26
Club: UCD
Past Olympic Games: 2020 in Tokyo
A product of Blackrock College, the former Leinster centre is a regular in the Ireland Sevens team. He is the son of Brendan Mullin, a noted Ireland 15s centre and a player of the British and Irish Lion. Gavin debuted for his home province against Zebre in 2018 and has twice played at senior level. In 2020, after leaving their academy, Mullin considered leaving professional rugby but then the IRFU invited him to join the Sevens squad. He first competed in a UK tournament in 2020, where Ireland emerged victorious against Great Britain and the USA. Owing to this, he was able to compete in Tokyo a year later and retained his place for Paris.
Chay Mullins
Age: 22
Club: Galway Corinthians, Connacht
Past Olympic Games: None
Chay debuted when he was spotted through the Irish Qualified programme prior to the 2022 under-20 Six Nations. He delivered a standout performance on the wing during that trophy-winning tournament before migrating from his hometown Bristol to join the Connacht academy. Following that Six Nations, he made his Sevens debut for Ireland in Singapore. While the wing spot has been a regular placement for him in the Sevens matches, he has not yet debuted in a senior 15s game for the western province. However, that could change after Paris as he is moving from an academy contract to a senior deal for the upcoming season.
Mark Roche
Age: 31
Club: Lansdowne
Past Olympic Games: 2020 in Tokyo”/
McNulty is a longstanding member of the ‘Sevens’ programme, having been involved since its inception in 2015. His fellow original participant is Roche, a graduate of Blackrock College, who represented Ireland at under-20s in 2013. Unable to secure a professional career with Leinster and Connacht, the Lansdowne AIL winner transitioned to Sevens. Involvement in the programme started for Roche at the inaugural trials held in Santry and Lansdowne in 2015. Roche, newly a father to son, Cooper, has discussed his effort to secure a passport for the newborn to witness him in Paris.
A 23-year-old Andrew Smith, with no previous Olympic experience, is one of the stars returning from the 15-a-side game. He hails from the Clubs Clontarf, Connacht and was part of the Leinster academy. After 13 appearances in Connacht’s back three this season, he took an AIL title with Clontarf in 2022. Smith, also part of the squad touring South Africa with Emerging Ireland that year, joined the Sevens programme aimed at the 2022 Rugby World Cup, where they clenched the bronze.
Zac Ward, 25-years-old, is the only member from Ballynahinch, representing Ulster. Similarly to Roche and Smith, he has no previous Olympics experience. He is the progeny of former Ireland 15s international player, Andy Ward, famed for his contribution to the province’s 1999 European Cup victory. Zac’s younger sibling, Bryn, has also been a regular at the under-20s. Zac, a part of the 2021 programme, was commended as the Ireland Sevens player of the year in 2024. Ward’s performance at this year’s LA World Series, where Ireland accomplished a third-place finish securing back-to-back medals, secured him a place on the dream team roster.