Ireland beat Great Britain 26-12 in the final of the rugby sevens at the European Games to secure their place at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
James Topping’s European gold medallists joined the Ireland women’s team in reaching next year’s Games.
It will be the second Olympic appearance for the men’s team after their debut at the 2021 Games in Tokyo.
Billy Dardis, Terry Kennedy and Jordan Conroy with two were Ireland’s try-scorers in the final in Krakow.
After a cagey opening some aggressive play and counter-rucking by Ballynahinch’s Zac Ward allowed Dardis to pick up a loose ball to score the game’s first try.
GB were soon back on level terms thanks to a score from Thomas Williams but in added time at the end of the first half, Kennedy showed all his skill and pace to score a vital try that edged Ireland in front.
The second half saw the Irish seize control and they contrived two openings for Conway to stretch his legs and send his side to another Olympics.
With Ireland taking the qualification spot for Paris, Great Britain and Spain will advance to the final repechage next year as they target an Olympic place.
“Qualifying for the Olympics is great and for us as a programme we want to expand the game and for the players it’s a chance to play at an Olympic Games. For us it’s the reward for what has been a pretty good season for us,” said Irish coach, former Ulster winger Topping.
“This is a sport that Irish people can excel at I think although it’s pretty tough. You have to be fast and aggressive and have the heart for it. The guys have jumped on the back of the success of the women last month and it’s fantastic for rugby in the country.”
Ireland men become the seventh team to qualify for Paris 2024, joining hosts France, New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji, Australia and Uruguay, with the remaining six spots to be determined by regional qualifying tournaments and next year’s World Rugby repechage.
Ireland and Great Britain qualified for the men’s final by winning their respective semi-finals in Poland earlier on Tuesday.
Ballynahinch’s Zac Ward was among the Irish try scorers as they beat Portugal 24-0 while Team GB beat Spain 19-7.
Billy Dardis scored both first half tries for Ireland and added the two conversions for a 14-0 half-time lead. Ward touched down moments after the restart and Jordan Conway added the final score.
Great Britain women’s sevens team claimed gold, and an Olympic place by seeing off hosts Poland 33-0.
Ireland women made history in May by qualifying for their first Olympics.