Green Army Down Under welcome Irish team to Sydney

There were emotional scenes in Sydney Airport this morning as the Irish team arrived in the city for their opening World Cup game against Australia tomorrow.

Between 100 and 200 fans, friends and family took over part of the airports arrival hall as the girls in green touched down in the Australian capital.

Wearing jerseys, flags, shamrock zogabongs and even a costume of St Patrick, they sang 'olé olé' as they waited for the team while toddlers in Ireland kits with shamrocks painted on their face played football on the airport floor.

When the team eventually came through there was cheering, singing and warm embraces with family members as players stopped to sign autographs and film the scenes that greeted them on their own phones.

Amber Barrett's father Sean was one of the first to grab his daughter for a hug.

He is one of a number of her family and friends who have travelled from Milford in Donegal to see her playing in the World Cup

"It's massively exciting I suppose for everybody involved and for the whole country," Sean said.

"To be here now, in the World Cup, in a ladies World Cup, its massive.

"Myself and my son Cian from the immediate family are here.

"I have two nieces out and a cousin over in Perth and another cousin coming to Sydney for the game tomorrow. Friends are over as well."

Asked if he ever imagined that he would be watching his daughter in a Women’s World Cup he admits he did not think it was possible.

"I suppose at the time it's something that players dream of but you don't really think that’s going to be a reality," Sean said.

"I don't think anybody did, particularly if you look back at 2017 the way things were.

"Now thankfully we've come a long long way and its brilliant for football, it's brilliant for sports,