Heartbreaking World Cup defeat for Tipperary player and Irish women's rugby team
Ireland defeated by France in quarter-final in Exeter
Ireland suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the quarter-final of the Women's Rugby World Cup when they were beaten by France by 18-13 at Sandy Park in Exeter.
The Irish team, which included Tipperary player Amee-Leigh Costigan, were rank outsiders going into the game but came agonisingly close to pulling off a major upset.
They put it up to the French from an early stage and were well on top throughout the first half, at the end of which they led by 13-0.
Those points were scored by Linda Djougang and Stacey Flood, who crossed the line for tries, while Dannah O'Brien scored a penalty.
However, the tide turned in the second half, as Frace began to assert their dominance to take the lead.
Ireland pushed hard for a try in the closing stages but it wasn't to be, as they were deneied a place in the last four.