Deirdre and Lily Buckley from Tang, County Westmeath, at the Ireland-Australia World Cup game yesterday (Thursday).

PHOTOS: Fans from Athlone cheer on Irish women at World Cup opener

Adrian Cusack

Published: Fri 21 Jul 2023, 4:59 PM

The first appearance by an Ireland women's team at the World Cup ended in narrow defeat to hosts Australia yesterday (Thursday)

However the thousands of Irish fans in attendance in Sydney added greatly to the occasion with their vociferous support of Vera Pauw's players.

The crowd included a number of people from Athlone and surrounding areas, such as Deirdre Buckley, from Tang, who attended the game with her daughter Lily.

Lily and Deirdre Buckley pictured at the stadium in Sydney yesterday.

"It was an unbelievable atmosphere with the amazing Green Army. No voices left!" Deirdre told us after the game.

Willow Park FC in Athlone also shared photos of "a few familiar faces Down Under" who were supporting the Irish side.

Ciara Kelly, Noreen Devery and Sandra Dunne supporting Ireland in Sydney.

Anna Grant and Rachel Emerson of Willow Park FC were among the crowd of over 75,000 in attendance at the game.

Sarah Ruane from Athlone had also secured a ticket for the game along with her brother and other friends from Athlone. She shared this photo of the scene outside the stadium.