Joy and dejection at Dalymount Park as Ireland take on Canada at World Cup

There was both joy and disappointment for families and young footballers who gathered at a north Dublin stadium to watch Ireland take on Canada in their second Women’s World Cup fixture.

Fans cheered and chanted and rose to their feet as they watched the 3×6-metre screen set up in front of the fans’ stand at Dalymount Park in Phibsborough.

Among the Ireland fans was Edel, accompanied by her two sons wearing Ireland jerseys, who said ahead of the match she was hoping for a draw.

“The social barriers they have broken down as a team is amazing,” she told the PA news agency.

“Even their physical fitness, they work so hard, and we’re just so proud of them.”

Stephen O’Leary brought his five-year-old daughter Ava, who was sporting a knitted tricolour scarf and football shorts of her team, Celtic.

“She has loads of footballs and goals at home,” Mr O’Leary said.

“(The Ireland team are) inspiring them as well – she’s going to be joining the local football team.”

Soon after kick-off, triumphant roars filled the Bohemian FC stadium as Ireland scored their first goal of the World Cup.

As Ireland captain Katie McCabe curled a corner into the Canadian net, around 200 people jumped to their feet, some punching the air.

From that moment on, every save by the Irish goalkeeper and clearance by defenders was celebrated with a cheer as if it were another goal.

A group of young boys standing in the rafters of the stadium conducted several chants of “Come on Ireland” throughout the first half, with other punters joining in.

The two Canadian goals that marked defeat for Ireland – an own goal just before half-time and another in the first minutes of the second half – only slightly dampened Irish spirits as chants for the girls in green