Ireland Football has confirmed, via a social media post, that Republic of Ireland midfielder Denise O'Sullivan is doing better than expected after being rushed to hospital yesterday.
O'Sullivan and the Ireland squad played Colombia in a World Cup warm-up game at their Meakin Park training base in Brisbane.
However, the game was abandoned and labelled 'overly physical' after several rough challenges between the two teams.
The FAI released a statement after the game, saying, 'The behind-closed-doors game between the Ireland Women's National Team and Colombia on Friday evening was ended after 20 minutes of play.
'The game, which was held in Meakin Park, Brisbane, became overly physical, and it was decided, following consultation with the match officials, to end the game.
'The Ireland team then underwent a full training session to continue preparations for their opening game in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, against Australia in Sydney on 20th July."
While Colombia said it was Ireland's decision to end the game, they said in their own statement, 'The friendly match that was to take place as part of today's training between the Colombian Women's national team and Ireland was suspended because the Irish preferred not to continue playing when 23 minutes of the first half had already elapsed.
Positive news for Denise O'Sullivan 🙌
X-Ray and CT Scan show no fracture ✅
Denise will work with WNT Medical Staff on a return to play procedure.#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/PoD9cQSupj— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 15, 2023
"Although all the processes and training of our teams are framed within the rules of the game, healthy competition, and fair play, we respect the decision of our rival team."
Cork native O'Sullivan was one of the players on the receiving end of a rough challenge from one of the Colombian players and was taken to the hospital with a bang to the shin.
Ireland plays Australia on Thursday, and there had been fears that one of Ireland's key players, O'Sullivan, would be out for a long period of time, but the Ireland Football has given a positive update on their Twitter account.
"Positive news for Denise O'Sullivan. X-Ray and CT Scan show no fracture. Denise will work with WNT Medical Staff on a return to play procedure,' said the tweet."
Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Áine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O'Riordan (Celtic), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Sinead Farrelly (NJ/NY Gotham), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers)Training Players: Sophie Whitehouse, Harriet Scott, Jamie Finn
FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 - Group BJuly 20 | Australia v Ireland, Stadium Australia, Sydney, KO 11:00 (Irish Time)July 26 | Canada v Ireland, Rectangular Stadium, Perth, KO 13:00 (Irish Time)July 31 | Ireland v Nigeria, Lang Park, Brisbane, KO 11:00 (Irish Time)
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