Denise O'Sullivan confirmed to start for Ireland after recovering from injury

STARTING ROLE: Denise O'Sullivan during a Republic of Ireland training session. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Denise O’Sullivan has shaken off her shinbone injury to start Thursday’s World Cup opener against Australia, Ireland manager Vera Pauw confirmed.

Pauw and team captain Katie McCabe conducted their pre-match press duties at Stadium Australia on the outskirts of Sydney, which is expected to be a 75,784-sell out for the meeting with the co-hosts (8pm local, 11am Irish time). Capacity at the Olympic arena has been downgraded by FIFA from the original 82,500.