Ireland's World Cup Dream Is Over Following Canadian Fightback

Ireland's World Cup dream is over after losing 2-1 to Olympic champions Canada in Perth earlier today.

Vera Pauw's side have now lost two matches in their group, having lost out to co-host Australia in their opening game, which means they cannot progress beyond this phase of the competition.

However, many would argue that the girls in green deserved to take at least a point from these two defeats, following spirited performances in the country's FIFA Women's World Cup debut.

Ireland were off to the perfect start after 4 minutes when captain Katie McCabe's dangerous, inswinging corner found it's way to the back of the net, for their first ever goal in this competition.

However, Ireland were dealt a blow just before the break when Megan Connolly deflected Julia Grosso's cross past her goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan to leave it at 1-1 at half time, a moment which Pauw felt was the turning point, after the game.

"We've experienced that before and we've spoken so much about it but at the end of the first half, you have to keep everything, the organisation, tight and it was one moment where there was no cover", she said. "Canada cut in and there was no cover so they could have a free cross". 

Eight minutes into the second half, Adriana Leon poked the ball past Brosnan to put Canada ahead, and a lead that they would not relinquish, despite the best efforts of a plucky Ireland, who went close to equalising when Katie McCabe's close range effort deflected wide.

However, Ireland were left with pain and regret at the final whistle, as they bow out of the competition against Nigeria on Monday. But their heads should be held firmly high.

Despite their exit, Vera Pauw said that she is proud of her team's performance. 

"But against the Olympic champions, again we can be proud of what we've shown but yeh, we're out", she reflected.