The Ireland Women's World Cup squad 'didn’t get the backing of the people' the way the men's team does, according to a former Irish international.
Paula Gorham was on the first Irish Women's Football Team back in 1973 and says she can't understand why the women's team does not enjoy the same support as the men's.
She was speaking after Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the last 16 of the World Cup came to an end on Wednesday, with a 2-1 defeat to Canada in Perth.
Ms Gorham told Newstalk Breakfast she believes the team never got the support it deserved in Ireland.
"Truthfully, I don't think the air was ever in the balloon," she said.
"There were no sign of flags or bunting in my home town of Dundalk, which is renowned for soccer.
"It definitely wasn't the same; if our men's team was there, it would have been a totally different game.
"I just think it goes back to... male-dominant sport really, to be honest with you.
"We made history by getting to Australia, it was the first-ever Irish team to make the World Cup.
"I don't honestly know why they didn't get the backing of the people".
'Absolutely magnificent'
With one more game to go against Nigeria, Ms Gorham said the team has done everyone proud.
"I think, with the performances they put on against Australia and Canada, I think the true supporter will definitely be there," she said.
"They've done us proud; I was so proud of that Irish team yesterday - there were absolutely magnificent, especially in the first half.
"Canada is number seven in the world, we're number 22 - that's a vast difference at that standard".
'We've moved on greatly'
Ms Gorham said the situation is not the same as it was in 1973.
"In different ways we've moved on greatly with the professionalism of the team, and the way that the team themselves have been taken care of by the FAI, Sky Ireland and Cadburys - they've great backing now," she said.
"In my day, we had nothing... you kind of fended for yourself and it was looked down upon anyway in my day.
"All the collections we had to make and sacrifice our pocket money that we'd get from working – it all went towards our travel expenses and our gear.
"A lot of our gear we had to buy ourselves as well, so it was very difficult," she added.
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