Over half a million people tune in for Ireland's World Cup opener with Australia

Denise O'Sullivan after Ireland's defeat to Australia. More than half a million people watched the game on RTÉ. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

More than 500,000 people tuned in to RTÉ2 to watch the Republic of Ireland's Women's World Cup opener with Australia on Thursday.

The Girls in Green were defeated thanks to a Steph Catley penalty early in the second half in their first-ever match at a World Cup finals.