The nation holds its breath again: the effects of Ireland's first-ever Women's World Cup

From Megan Connolly to Katie McCabe, our World Cup team is inspiring a whole new generation of girls. As they report a surge in new players, Noel Baker visits the local clubs preparing for their Italia 90 moment

Megan Connolly of Republic of Ireland in action against Kenza Dali of France during the women's international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and France at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The clock is ticking down in Ireland’s final group game of the team’s first-ever Women’s World Cup, and Vera Pauw’s charges need a goal, something to snatch a win in order to progress to the knock-out phase. 

The ball drops to Cork woman Megan Connolly, and as she fizzes a shot towards the goal, and destiny, her mind bizarrely swings to... how she could have been doing ballet instead?