Ireland bow out of the Women's World Cup after defeat to Canada

IRELAND’s progress from the group stages of the Women’s World Cup have ended as they lose out to Canada in a 2-1 defeat. 

The Irish women started the game strongly and got their first goal of the tournament after only three minutes when McCabe struck a beautiful ball off her left leg straight from a corner, with the ball spiralling into the goal. 

Canada struggled to gain any foothold in the game as the rain thundered down in Perth Stadium. The Olympic Champions only had a few shots on target, one coming from Vanessa Gilles but to no avail. 

Deep into the added time at the end of the first half, Ireland’s Megan Connolly scored an unfortunate own-goal to level the game at the break. 

Rejuvenated by the own-goal, Canada came out with a point to prove in the second-half and it wasn’t long before they went ahead in the game. 

Adriana Leon scored a goal for her side on the 53rd minute mark, leaving Ireland chasing for the rest of the match.

Canada were well on top in the second-half putting immense pressure on the Irish backs and were able to maintain their lead till the final whistle.

Ireland will be extremely disappointed to end their World Cup Campaign in this fashion after being ahead for large portions of the game. 

The Irish team still have to face Nigeria on Monday, 31 at 11, but Ireland will not progress any further. 

Canada: Jessie Fleming, Kailen Sheridan, Kdeisha Buchanan, Quinn, Julia Grosso, Jayde Riviere, Jordyn Huitema, Ashley Lawrence, Evelyn Viens, Vanessa Gilles, Adriana Leon. 

Subs: Sinclair for Viens (Half-Time), Zadorsky for Buchanan (Half-Time), Schmidt for Grosso (Half-Time), Lacasse for Leon (58 minutes), Chapman for Riviere (93 minutes). 

Ireland: Courtney Brosnan, Louise Quinn, Niamh Fahey, Megan Connolly, Ruesha Littlejohn, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe (C), Aine O’Gorman, Lucy Quinn, Sinead Farrelly, Kyra Carusa. 

Subs: Larkin for Lucy Quinn (Half-Time), Sheva for O’Gorman (58 minutes), Barrett for Carusa (64 minutes), Agg for Littlejohn (64 minutes), Atkinson for Farrelly (64 minutes).