Vera Pauw responds to Colombian taunts and provides Denise O’Sullivan update

Rory Fleming

Pauw issued a stern response in the wake of Ireland’s abandoned clash against Colombia.

Ireland women’s head coach Vera Pauw has voiced her disbelief over Colombia defender Daniela Caracas’ “let them eat s***” remark.

Caracas made the comments following Pauw’s decision to abandon Ireland’s World Cup warm-up clash with the South Americans following a number of “overly physical challenges”.

One of these challenges was so bad that it left Ireland midfielder Denise O’Sullivan with a serious shin injury, for which she was brought to a local hospital for an assessment to be carried out.

Providing an update to media this morning, the Dutch coach revealed that O’Sullivan had thankfully avoided a fracture or break to her left shinbone.

It is also hoped that Cork native O’Sullivan will be fit in time to take some part in Ireland maiden World Cup clash, against hosts Australia in Sydney next Thursday.

O’Sullivan was taken to the nearby St. Andrew’s Hospital in Brisbane for tests following the game’s abandonment. (Credit: Sportsfile)

“We have now hope because it is soft tissue and not a bone. We have good hopes. We have hopes she makes it”, remarked Pauw.

O’Sullivan’s injury had sparked outrage amongst the Irish camp, but the explicit comments of Caracas added insult to injury.

“They are just girls, one little foul and they all started complaining”, the 26-year-old said.

“They were having a chat amongst themselves to continue or not so we weren’t going to hang around waiting for them”.

“Let them eat s***”.

Responding to these comments, an incredulous Pauw exclaimed;

“I’m sorry? Did they? To be honest, I’m a bit shocked hearing this”.

“Well, lets say that they maybe were emotional too”.

“We don’t fear any physical contact, you know that. We ourselves as a team play within the rules of the game, a very tough playing team”.

“And I want to highlight that we had the least fouls of qualifying campaign. So, we always challenge within the rules of the game, but this was out of the rules of the game”.

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