Ireland's chances of securing an Olympic medal in the rugby sevens are over as they were beaten 19-15 by Fiji in the quarter-finals at the Stade de France.
Facing the Olympic champions in their last-eight clash, having failed to top their group, Ireland lost a second-half lead to lose by four points in Paris.
It took just 30 seconds for Fiji to make it a perfect start as Iosefo Baleiwairki handed off Niall Comerford before racing through from the half-way line to touch down under the posts.
Ireland looked for a response and Raisuqe Josaia’s high tackle on Zac Ward allowed them to kick to the corner and look to work an opportunity from the line-out.
A poor set-piece, but it resulted in an Ireland scrum that was moved quickly out to the right. Chay Mullins then cut back inside to power over and touch down – the conversion was missed, however, which meant that a two-point gap remained approaching half time.
But Ireland were quickly back in possession and looked to hit Fiji once again with the reigning champions’ ill-discipline leading to consecutive infringements.
Another Ireland scrum from a central possession allowed James Topping’s side to exploit the space on the left and Mullins was there once more to power over and force the ball to ground.
Another conversion kick missed as Ireland led by three at the break.
But Ireland came out with all guns blazing to start the second half and their pressure eventually paid dividends with Ward getting over in the corner to open up an eight-point lead.
Another Fiji knock-on handed Ireland possession once more, however, they were unable to capitalise, and it sparked their opponents into life as they went the length of the field with Joji Nasova touching down.
And then disaster, as Ireland made a mess of the re-start allowing Waisea Nacuqu to race in to put Fiji in front 19-15 with just one and a half minutes on the clock.
Ireland went in search of a deciding score as they opted for touch to work a set-piece opportunity, however, despite prolonging the game for three additional minutes they were unable to break through as Fiji progressed.
Ireland will now contest the fifth to eighth place play-offs, where the United States will be their initial opponents on Saturday, before a clash against either New Zealand or Argentina.
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