Former Celtic player involved as women’s match makes unlikely headlines

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Recently departed Celtic player Claire O’Riordan has been caught up in some strange goings-on.

The Republic of Ireland international is busy preparing for her country’s tilt at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Ireland have had plenty of warm-up matches, with their most recent a closed-door clash against Colombia.

The match has made some unlikely headlines after being abandoned during the first-half following some unsavoury scenes.

As reported by The Irish Sun, the Football Association of Ireland explained: “The behind-closed-doors game between the Ireland Women’s National Team and Colombia on Friday evening was ended after 20 minutes of play.

“The game, which was held in Meakin Park, Brisbane, became overly physical and it was decided, following consultation with the match officials, to end the game.

“The Ireland team then underwent a full training session to continue preparations for their opening game in FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, against Australia in Sydney on July 20.”

The report of events also says that Irish player Denise O’Sullivan was taken to hospital after a bad challenge from a Colombian player.

After that, the Irish team decided not to continue the match.

It’s not clear whether O’Riordan was on the pitch at the time. She has featured in her country’s prior two warm-up matches, and even netted against Zambia last month.

O’Riordan now plays in Belgium for the Standard Liège women’s side after leaving Celtic at the end of the campaign.

We will still have a current player at the World Cup though, with Shen Mengyu included in the China squad.

The Chinese are due to face Colombia in a friendly on Monday. Perhaps Mengyu will be having a word with her former team-mate.

In other news, Brendan Rodgers has praised the international contingent for bringing added quality to Celtic training