Irish soccer fanatic Glenn Kerrigan has travelled halfway around the globe to catch a glimpse of his national side’s historic Women’s World Cup debut.
“I’ve been a supporter of Irish football all my life,” he says.
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“I’ve been to the Euros and every major tournament they’ve been to — I’ve been there.”
It has been more than two decades since an Irish side has reached the main draw of the sport’s pinnacle event.
The nation’s Girls in Green have broken their World Cup drought and will face off against Australia’s Matildas in the opening match in Sydney on Thursday in front of an 80,000-strong home crowd.
“When they make one (World Cup), you’re going to have to go with them. They’re getting harder and harder in the men’s game, so any World Cup is good to be at,” Kerrigan said at Bondi Beach on Tuesday.
Irish international footballer and commentator Stephanie Roche and Irish football fanatic Glenn Kerrigan are looking forward to watching Ireland at the FIFA Women’s World cup.
Credit: AAP
Irish international footballer and commentator Stephanie Roche believes it’s a turning point for soccer in her home country.
“The hype back home is huge,” she says.
“We’ve always had that underdog mentality. To be here against the host nation, it’s going to be huge for everybody involved in Irish football.”
Ireland enter the match having beaten the Matildas in their previous game two years ago, spoiling captain Sam Kerr’s quest for a win in her 100th game.
But Roche says the girls are under no illusion that it’s going to be the same team.
“There are very proud Irish players representing their country for the very first time in the World Cup, so they won’t fall down too lightly,” she says.
Denise O’Sullivan was rushed to hospital after being injured against Colombia.
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