Tipperary's Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe stars in historic success for Ireland's Sevens rugby team
Ireland beat hosts Australia in the final
Tipperary's Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe was on the scoresheet when Ireland's Women's Sevens rugby team won gold at the HSBC SVNS Series in Perth this morning, defeating hosts Australia 19-14 in the final at the Rectangular Stadium.
It was a historic success for Ireland, as it was their first-ever world series tournament victory, which will help build momentum ahead of their participation in the Paris Olympics this summer.
Australia led 7-0 in the early stages but Ireland hit back with a score from Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe. The Tipperary Town player finished the weekend with six tries.
Lucy Mulhall then managed to make it 14-7 at half-time with another try.
Australia drew level early in the second half when Teagan Levi scored before Eve Higgins' all-important third try for Ireland.
Ireland had defeated Great Britain in the semi-finals earlier in the day by 31-7 to set up the final against the home side.
Ireland picked up a total of 20 SVNS Series points in Perth, which lifts them from seventh place up to fourth in the overall standings.
They are just six points behind Olympic hosts France, in third. The SVNS Series resumes with back-to-back events in Vancouver (February 23-25) and Los Angeles (March 1-3).
Ireland had reached the semi-finals of the Cape Town Sevens in mid-December, having finished fifth in Dubai the previous week.