“It was a very late challenge” – Denise O’Sullivan reveals what happened in abandoned Columbia game

"The one on Ruesha was probably the worst."

Denise O'Sullivan was at the centre of the now infamous friendly between Ireland and Columbia that had to be abandoned due to its physicality. In preparation for Ireland's first ever World Cup, O'Sullivan was hit with a bad tackle in the match, and such was the atmosphere and aggression used in the match, the Ireland management decided to put a stop to it. O'Sullivan had to go hospital and in an interview with The Irish Examiner, the Cork native feared that her World Cup might be over before it even started.

“At the time it happened, I sure thought there was a chance (that I would miss the World Cup) because of the pain felt.

“Luckily the scan showed no break and that fear was gone but for that hour waiting alongside the physio Angela Kenneally I was actually shaking from being so nervous and emotional.”

What was already a pretty big news story was only inflated by comments made by the Colombian camp who branded Ireland ‘little girls’. Vera Pauw made the call to abandon the game, and going by O'Sullivan's description of events, it was the right call to make.

“There were a few bad challenges before that - one on Ruesha was probably the worst.

“She (Bedoya) had body-checked me before the tackle but I can take a bodycheck. She sent me about 10 yards with her shoulder but that’s not hard with my size.

“The tackle came in two minutes later. I don’t know if it was deliberate at all but all I know looking back on it, it was a very late challenge. She kind of wasn’t looking at the ball.”

Ireland lost their opening game of the tournament 1-0 to Australia, and will be hoping to bounce back in their match this Wednesday when they face Canada. Related links:

• RTÉ panel question Ireland's attacking strategy in World Cup opener loss
• Ireland legend compares Denise O'Sullivan to Roy Keane ahead of World Cup debut
• Vera Pauw responds to Colombian taunts and provides Denise O'Sullivan update