The simple beauty of the Olympic games is that it gives the average viewer a rare chance to watch a sport that otherwise isn’t broadcast or popularized within their home country. Ireland women’s rugby’s match against Great Britain on Tuesday did just that, and offered so much more.
The Ireland women’s rugby sevens team lost to Great Britain, 28-12, in the 7th/8th-place playoff match at the Stade de France and fell well short of the podium in the Paris Games this summer. Though the team won’t take home any silverware, they’ll carry with them a frame-it-in-the-Louvre moment that will live in Olympic history forever.
Ireland’s Emily Lane and Erin King have since gone viral for an unbelievable catch that many fans have compared to NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s famous grab.
On a British kick-off, Lane leapt to make a catch while being supported by King. King lifted Lane by her hips, reverse Dirty Dancing style, until she was nearly parallel to the ground as Lane reached up and miraculously secured the ball with both her hands.
This is absolutely insane. pic.twitter.com/UQYnd3Mh96
— QUAN (@QuannyNitro) July 30, 2024
Here’s a longer clip of the catch:
I found a longer version of the clip: pic.twitter.com/YDeGrrrWEZ
— ً (@tylerduran21) July 31, 2024
ESPN also posted a series of stunning photos to document the wild moment:
Damn 11 strong 💪🏽💪🏽
— ▪️🅚🅰️Ⓜ️▫️ (@_allnmyhead) July 31, 2024
That strength to maintain your grip is crazyyyy 🤯
— Juvany Georges (@juvanygeorges) July 31, 2024
This is better than the OBJ catch
— Frank K (@Frankkly38) July 31, 2024
My lower back hurts just watching this
— Mariano_Bets (@MarianoCroce_) July 31, 2024
I’m putting my daughter into rugby this is impressive
— Britton Winterrose (@bwinterrose) July 31, 2024
Good Lawd. That's a linebacker if I have ever seen one.
— RickyBooby (@RickyBoobyAU) July 31, 2024
When I see this kind of stuff I feel like I should be able to hit a golf ball
— Walter (@LongBeachBum) July 31, 2024
I love, love, love that my insta and twitter feed has just become people discovering Ilona Maher, women's rugby or even just rugby all together over the last few days.
— Brittany Mitchell (@BrittMitchell11) July 31, 2024
It is the game they play in heaven for a reason 😇 #RugbySevens https://t.co/36LcLo6p8z
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Fans Loved Ireland Women’s Rugby’s Ridiculous Catch in Olympics: ‘Better than OBJ’.
