Stacey Flood became the third female rugby player to earn 50 caps for Ireland 7s as the team finished second in Pool B, progressing to Sunday's quarterfinals at the Dubai HSBC SVNS.
Ireland enjoyed a perfect start to the season on Saturday morning, defeating Japan 35-07 and Brazil 19-14 as Flood made her 50th international appearance. A 5-33 loss to Australia in the final game of the day didn't jeopardize Ireland's progression.
Only Lucy Mulhall and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe have preceded Flood's achievement. The 27-year-old former Dublin GAA star plays club rugby for Railway Union.
The third Women’s player to reach 50 @Ireland7s caps - congrats Stacey! 🫶#Ireland7s pic.twitter.com/AqtpvzNZe0
— Ireland 7s (@Ireland7s) December 2, 2023
"To get a 50th cap is pretty rare, so it's some achievement to represent your country so many times," said a smiling Stacey after the win against Japan.
"My three sisters are here, my mum and dad, and a few cousins, so it's really nice to have that support because sometimes they don't get to come, with sevens being on the other side of the world, so I'm extremely lucky and all the other Irish families as well that are here, they just all get behind us which is great."
After the Ireland's historic qualification earlier this year, this season is all about preparing for Paris 2024.
