The Ireland women’s Sevens side were unable to build on their success in Perth back in January of this year as they took eighth place at the Olympics on Monday.

Despite falling to a second defeat to Great Britain, there was some joy for Fermanagh’s own Claire Boles as she was called from the bench and made an instant impact to score a late try at the Stade de France to cut the deficit.

The Carrybridge native watched on from the stands in the opening games after being called up to the Olympic squad as a travelling reserve but she was named in the playing squad on Tuesday morning to make her Olympic debut.

Speaking with RTÉ after the game in Paris, Boles said: “It’s been a whirlwind. It was just nice to get a try at the end for the girls. It was really a hard graft, I’ve just been trying to support them as best I can and be the best teammate.

"It’s unbelievable to play at the Stade de France in front of especially, my family. They’re over there, I'll find them after, but I’m just proud.”

Ireland women secured a first-ever appearance at the Olympics following close misses to go to Rio and Tokyo.

“That was our goal,” Boles added. “The future of Sevens is on the map for Ireland and for young girls and boys, there is a future at the Olympics for this sport. We’re immensely proud to be the first ones here to do it, I can’t wait to see what’s to come for the programme. It’s definitely something special.

"It’s been the best crowd, best tournament (I’ve been involved in) so far. I can’t say thanks enough.”

Ireland started where they left off in France, a defeat against GB. They opened their Olympic account with a 21-12 loss on Sunday morning, but there was little time to feel sorry for themselves as only hours later, they played their second fixture in Pool B, a 38-0 victory against South Africa.

A final group game with Australia ended in defeat on Monday.

And Ireland couldn’t replicate their famous World Series final win over the Aussies earlier this year, at the second time of asking, when the sides met again later that day in the quarter-final with a 40-7 loss. Ireland’s hopes of finishing in the top six were ended by France with a 19-7 loss on Tuesday.

Ireland faced off against GB after that at 5.30pm, in the seventh and eighth place decider, with Boles being named in the squad.

There was an early yellow card for Ireland’s Stacey Flood to make things more challenging as England’s Megan Jones put her side into the lead with a try and a conversion.

Megan Burns cut the gap, however, further tries from Jade Shekells and Jones saw England open up a 21-5 halftime lead with both conversions going between the posts.

England made it 28-5 as Boles was then introduced from the bench and in the final moments, she doubled Ireland’s score by driving over the try line.

Flood kicked the conversion with the final score of 28-12.

New Zealand took gold with a win over Canada in the final and USA claimed bronze after defeating Australia.