Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland tonight is perhaps the ‘biggest match in the history of women’s sport in this country’, Newstalk Breakfast’s Shane Coleman has argued. 

The Republic of Ireland will face off against Scotland at Hampden Park and the winner will likely secure a place in the next year’s Women World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. 

“It is a massive night for the Girls in Green - the biggest match in the history of women’s football in this country,” Shane said.  

“I would argue the biggest match, maybe, in the history of women’s sport in this country in terms of what the knock on effects will be for women in Ireland if the Irish team do qualify for the women’s world cup tonight.” 

The Irish Men’s team last qualified for the World Cup in 2002 and Shane said a win for the women would be a huge boost for the sport across the country. 

“Football is a huge sport,” he said. 

“I think if the Irish women’s team qualify for the World Cup tonight, I think it could have a massive knock on effect in terms of participation in sport.”

Main image: Shane Coleman.