Reflecting the growing interest in the exploits of the girls in green, there was a record attendance of 3,500 for a women’s home international in Tallaght last Friday, as Ireland beat Slovakia 2-1 in their qualifying game for the 2019 World Cup finals in France.

With the Women’s World Cup now just ten months away Ireland tomorrow commence what coach Tom Tierney calls “a critical period” in their preparations with a tough assignment against England at the UCD Bowl.

The build-up to this summer’s Women’s World Cup was overshadowed by one thing: a dispute about turf.

The world footballers’ union is to welcome female players as direct members in a bid to fight inequality in the sport.