Updated 10th April
Women’s sport continued it’s increased presence on broadcast media with the late decision to show the Republic of Ireland’s Soccer World Cup Qualifier against Germany on Setanta Sports.
A Setanta Spokesman told us today that: ““Setanta are really happy with the strong viewing numbers for the game and it shows the interest and support in the Irish ladies soccer team has increased. There seems to be big interest in their campaign and the figures were very encouraging.”
Viewing figures for the game in Germany where it was shown live on public service channel ZDF were well over 1 million. That number is expected to be breached again in May when the England team take on Ukraine in a match to be broadcast on BBC2.
The ‘as live’ broadcast was as dramatic as they come. Ireland took the lead in the second minute against the world’s second best ranked side who had previously not conceded a single goal in qualifying.
They held the lead until the hour mark and then fell behind. Stephanie Roche replaced Fiona O’Sullivan with ten minutes to go and hit an equaliser in the 89th minute that looked to have secured a continued unbeaten start to the campaign. Unfortunately Germany had one more goal in them, securing the three points in injury time.
Tickets for the game at Tallaght Stadium were only €5 for adults and €2 for U16’s though the crowd remained small at less than 2,000. Nevertheless it did include World and Olympic Boxing Champion Katie Taylor and does provide a solid base should the team breakthrough to a major finals and take off in terms of popular acclaim as is the case increasingly around the world.
There was an important social health element to the game on Saturday as well with the whole team lining out wearing pink laces in support of breast cancer awareness. A campaign started by former international Susan Byrne has now expanded to laces being made available for sale through retail outlets.
Ireland’s next game in the qualifying group is at home to Russia on May 7th. The four best runners up from the seven groups go into play-offs from which one team will emerge to join the seven group winners at next year’s Women’s World Cup Finals in Canada.
