No clear favourites at a tournament where Ireland can have a say

Vera Pauw's side kick off their campaign against the hosts on Thursday.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: Ireland's Katie McCabe is seen behind the scenes of a FIFA filming shoot at the Emporium Hotel South Bank in Brisbane. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Nothing like Ireland dominating the news at a World Cup before a ball is kicked. Except this time it's their star player who was kicked.

Twenty-one years after a Corkman elevated a remote Pacific island into the global psyche by kicking up a fuss, a woman from a few miles up the road was innocent in hurtling Ireland into the pre-tournament storylines.