Pitch maintenance denies Ireland's women perfect Aviva Stadium send-off 

“It’s a shame - not so much for preparation, more a massive opportunity that Ireland can see us,” Vera Pauw says.

NO PERFECT SEND OFF: Vera Pauw insists the FAI were helpless to avoid Ireland’s women being denied their “perfect send-off” for the World Cup at Aviva Stadium. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Vera Pauw insists the FAI were helpless to avoid Ireland’s women being denied their “perfect send-off” for the World Cup at Aviva Stadium.

Most countries across Europe allow both their men’s and women’s team to use their national stadium and it felt opportune for Ireland to embrace the concept once they ended their qualification drought.