“A dream come true” is how Ballinasloe native Béibhinn Parsons describes the historic moment that Ireland Rugby Sevens qualified for the Olympic Games.

Overcoming Fiji at the French Sevens in Toulouse on Sunday morning, the Irish women booked their place at the 2024 games – an “unbelievable moment” according to Béibhinn, whose playing career has seen her line out for Ballinasloe RFC, Connacht and Ireland.

Speaking to the Connacht Tribune from Dublin after the team returned on Monday, the 21-year-old says as a child she dreamed of becoming an Olympian.

“At that stage, I didn’t know what for though,” she laughs. “I had no idea it would be for rugby sevens.”

“When we won on Sunday, it was just such a proud moment.”

The former Ardscoil Mhuire pupil was joined by her mother Evelyn, father Vincent and siblings Jack and Sally in Toulouse, watching on as the Irish charges beat Fiji 10-5 to take the fourth and final automatic qualification spot for next year’s Paris Olympics.

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