Live: Ireland face Australia in opening World Cup game

10:53am

Ireland are about to kick off their 2023 World Cup campaign against hosts Australia.

Ireland's Women Team face a tough opening game for the 2023 World Cup against hosts Australia.

They have received a huge boost however before the game with news that Aussie star Sam Kerr has been ruled out for the game.

The Australian captain has been ruled out of two games of the Women's World Cup, after picking up a calf injury in training a day earlier.

The team said she would re-assessed by the medical team after Australia's second group stage match on July 27 against Nigeria.

Kerr's loss is a big blow for Tony Gustavsson's 10th-ranked Matildas, who are considered one of the favourites to win their home tournament.

The 29-year-old Chelsea striker is the all-time leading goalscorer for her country with 63 goals.

Meanwhile, Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan is certain her grandparents would be beaming with pride had they had lived long enough to see her play in the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup debut.

The Everton keeper is eligible for the Republic through her paternal grandparents Margaret and Brendan, who were born in Roscommon and Kerry but later emigrated to the United States, where Brosnan was born and raised.

Asked how she balances her dual identities as a New Jersey native pulling on a Republic shirt, Brosnan said: “I think it’s amazing. I feel like it’s really special because I feel like I’m able to learn so much about my family.

“They’ve both passed on now, but I think it’s just amazing for me to see.

“Like I know how close my dad was with them as well, and to be able to play for Ireland and still have that connection to them, even if they’re not here, it’s really hard to put into words how special that is.

“It just gives