Jordan Conroy says it's "business time" for Ireland's Rugby Sevens ahead of Olympic quarter-final
"Here are a few heads that you'd know in the Village, like Nadal the other day, and just seeing them randomly in a chilled environment is great...I don't really care about it any more. It's more so about doing the job now"
Jordan Conroy has declared it is "business time" for Ireland's Sevens after making the Olympic quarter-finals that take place at the Stade de France tonight.
James Topping's side are pursuing Ireland's first medal at Paris - their afternoon clash with top seeds New Zealand (3.30pm Irish time) will determine who tops Pool A and will play the eighth seed in the quarter-finals late in the evening.
Conroy scored Ireland's first try of these Games at the packed Stade yesterday as James Topping's side beat South Africa 10-5 in their crucial opening Pool A clash, before later dismissing Japan 40-5.
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If Ireland win their quarter-final they will be one win away from making the podium on Saturday. Tullamore flyer Conroy said: "It was a great atmosphere but that's over with now, the novelty has worn off and it's business time now.
"It kind of hit me today, I knew it was on the doorstep and it was very important that we started well, so that pressure was there.
"Once we got that opening win we settled and got into our groove. It's a huge honour playing there, but we've settled very well and hopefully that will show now. There are a few heads that you'd know in the Village, like Nadal the other day, and just seeing them randomly in a chilled environment is great.
"It's the experience we wanted to have in Tokyo and we've got it now, and the first couple of days were great - but as you edge closer to game day, your focus shifts and that stuff goes out of your head.
"It was fun, but I don't really care about it any more. It's more so about doing the job now. That's taking the priority.
"Performances were good but can be better so we're gearing up for tomorrow, that's the big one. Job done, but you don't win anything on the first day."
Ireland dominated against South Africa but the players admitted to opening day nerves as Conroy dropped a try-scoring opportunity and it took Terry Kennedy's late try to clinch a deserved victory over the Blitzboks.
Skipper Harry McNulty admitted that the pressure had built before the vital game. "We could definitely feel some little extra nerves over the last couple of days, but we were just ready to go," he said. "I’m so glad we were able to get that win and release some pressure.
"Yes, there’s expectation. Yes, we came second in the world. It’s unbelievable, but I still know in the back of my head that every team in this competition can beat everyone else.
"So it’s hard to push that out to the public and for them to understand, because there are nations here who might not be known as rugby strongholds from a 15s point of view."
Conroy is hoping that the backing the team has got will pay off. "Definitely last night and today the messages came in and I was like, 'Oh, forget it, it's the Olympics and you're playing for your country'," he smiled.
"Hopefully we did the Irish proud today and gave them something to cheer about, and hopefully they'll tune in for the next two days.
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