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Sport
George Clarke

Irish fighting fit as O'Sullivan cleared for WWC opener

Ireland skipper Katie McCabe (l) says her team is ready for a physical match against the Matildas. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Ireland have passed midfielder Denise O'Sullivan fit to feature against Australia as they declared themselves up for the fight in their Women's World Cup opener.

Irish boss Vera Pauw said O'Sullivan was able to play at Stadium Australia on Thursday night, less than a week after being injured as Ireland's warm-up friendly with Colombia in Brisbane was abandoned due to its physical nature.

O'Sullivan picked up a shin injury but Pauw said the 100-cap veteran wouldn't be ruled out of her country's first-ever World Cup game.

"Denise is fit, she will play," Pauw said on Wednesday.

"She trained yesterday for half of the training, today she will do full training."

Ireland skipper Kate McCabe said her side wouldn't allow themselves to be intimidated by the Matildas, who are expected to be backed by a sellout crowd.

"We're Irish, we don't shy away from physicality," McCabe said.

"It's ingrained in us as the hardworking team we are.

"We're prepared for Australia to be physical. We've seen that in the game they played against France and we'll be prepared to match it."

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