Photo Cred: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Dublin’s O’Connell Street, outside of the GPO Museum, was flooded with a sea of green as 8,000 people welcomed home the Irish Women’s National Team from the FIFA Women's World Cup on Thursday, August 3.
Music blared and chants of “Oley Oley” and “Come On Ireland (Giving Us The Right To Dream)” echoed throughout the crowd.
Fans held flags, and signs, one of them reading “Katie McCabe I love you and I am so proud of you all.”
The homecoming had large screens showing and counting down the arrival of the Girls in Green, and when they arrived on stage, the crowd erupted.
Unbelievable 🇮🇪
Around 8,000 at the homecoming for our WNT ☘️
O’Connell Street, a brilliant venue for the event, was rocking 🙌#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/tIpY1coyTa— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) August 3, 2023
Fans had the opportunity to wave to the team, who made their early exit from the Women's World Cup on Monday, July 31, after failing to advance past the group stages in Australia.
Players Katie McCabe, Courtney Brosnan, Louise Quinn and Niamh Fahey had their chance to talk on stage to the cheering crowd.
“I’m hoping we did the nation proud and we just thank you so much,” Captain Katie McCabe expressed to the crowd.
Goalie Courtney Brosnan also came on stage and expressed what an honor it was to inspire a younger generation of goalkeepers.
“I think it is amazing obviously to be able to inspire young girls to achieve their dreams, and I think especially to inspire that next generation of goalkeepers, which means a lot to me,” said Brosnan.
The crowd chanted Manger Vera Pauw’s name as they watched her dance on stage. When asked about the future of the women's national team Pauw said, “We’ve shown the world, right, that we’re coming. We’re getting there.”
Amber Barrett sang a rendition of The Wild Rover, with the crowd joining in singing and clapping along - a fitting ending to the vibrant homecoming.
