Quiet optimism but youthful Irish are realistic on eve of World Cup

Four years ago, Ireland's women captured imaginations at the World Cup. Could another glory run materialise? 

OPTIMISM: Ireland's Roisin Upton celebrates scoring a penalty. ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

“Anything’s possible.” Few teams know it better than the Green Army, the fairytale of London 2018 - modest hopes to rapturous Dame Street receptions, shout-outs from Mariah Carey, and RTÉ Sport awards.

Two weeks of madness, ticket scrambles, a cash-strapped Hockey Ireland scrabbling to pay for their ever-increasing hotel bills as expectations were smashed beyond recognition.