The massive support for the girls in green was evident as national broadcaster RTE confirmed that their first match in the World Cup broke RTE Player’s 2023 streaming record.
According to the national broadcaster, Ireland’s first World Cup game against Australia was their most-watched sports event of the year so far, with a viewership of 360,000.
In what was the Republic of Ireland’s maiden game in their first ever Women’s World Cup match, they unfortunately lost a goal to nil against the co-hosts Australia in what was a tight match.
RTE Player − Ireland’s Women’s World Cup debut breaks streaming record
A statement from RTE read, “Live coverage of the match generated 360,000 live streams on RTÉ Player with viewers watching from across the nation.
“This morning the Republic of Ireland team kicked off their FIFA Women’s World Cup debut against Australia to a sell-out crowd in the Accor Stadium in Sydney, with hundreds of thousands watching from all around the world.
“The streaming numbers from Thursday’s opening game demonstrate the growing support for the women’s national team as live audiences for women’s sport hit an all-time high.
“The first of the Republic of Ireland’s three group games is the second highest streamed live sporting match on the RTÉ Player, with the FIFA Men’s World Cup final in November 2022 having generated 490,000 streams”.
Republic of Ireland’s women’s team − experiencing their first world cup
After her mistake in the first game against Australia, Marissa Sheva admitted that she was “crushed” at conceding the penalty, which she felt was a pretty soft one.
Speaking about the matches defining incident, Sheva said, “I was frustrated because I don’t feel like I made that much contact. But it’s a strategic thing. I haven’t watched it back, so I don’t want to say entirely, but yeah, it was frustrating. And it’s frustrating to lose that way.
“And I’m crushed for the girls that that’s how we conceded, but the support from them has been incredible”.
Despite a loss in their first game, Ireland’s World Cup dreams remain alive. They will travel to Perth on Wednesday to face Canada with the knowledge that a more favourable result is essential.
2023 Women’s World Cup − hosts Australia and New Zealand
The 2023 Women’s World Cup hosts are Australia and New Zealand. It is the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s Cup, held every four years. This year the tournament will occur from 20 July to 20 August 2023.
This World Cup also has exceptional significance for Ireland as it is the Republic of Ireland’s women’s soccer team’s first-ever appearance at a World Cup.
Given the viewing figures for their first game, the whole country is supporting them all along the way.
