Irish Examiner view: Nation gets behind Republic of Ireland at the Women's World Cup

While cheering on 'the girls in green' at 11am on Thursday, think too of the incalculable benefit of women's participation in sport

Eight-year-old Leá O'Neill, whose cousin is Republic of Ireland player Abbie Larkin, will be watching as we make our Fifa Women's World Cup debut against Australia. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The Ireland Women’s National Team will make history when they take the field against Australia in their opening Fifa Women's World Cup fixture at 11am Irish time on Thursday.

The team has captured the attention of the country, offering a welcome diversion from the grim headlines and front pages of recent times.