John Fallon: Ireland a stress magnet when it comes to World Cups

Your correspondent has been on the ground doing his utmost to keep up, keep awake and keep ahead in the context of struggling to shake off jetlag from three flights spanning 20 hours in the air.

PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE: The Republic of Ireland training session at the Leichhardt Oval in Sydney, Australia. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Encouraging women to become the storm rather than be engulfed by one has shown to be prophetic words from Vera Pauw in the run-up to the World Cup.

A friendly against France designed to act as a farewell for the squad's trip Down Under to meet co-hosts Australia was completely overhshadowed by allegations of excessive behaviour and weight shaming stemming from her year in charge of Houston Dash.