O'Brien continues to shine but Ireland well beaten by outstanding New Zealand

Carlow's Dannah O'Brien put in a heroic 80-minute performance at the Women's Rugby World Cup today as Ireland suffered a 40-0 defeat at the hands of New Zealand. 

Both sides had won their opening two games, making this a playoff for top spot in Pool C.

O'Brien was crucial to Ireland's success in their victories over Japan and Spain and the Tullow fly half was back in from the start today in front of over 31,000 at a packed AmEx Stadium in Brighton.

Decked out in unfamiliar white and claret, Ireland were on top for most of the opening quarter, with O'Brien to the fore as she looked to lead her side around the field, kicking well in both attack and defence. 

But the Black Ferns went up a couple of gears, increasing their physicality and putting tremendous speed on their passes, running in three tries to lead 19-0 at half time.

Another three tries followed after the break - including two in the final two minutes - as New Zealand condemned Ireland to a second-place finish.

An already difficult task was made all the more testing when Ireland lost full back Stacey Flood, which put even more pressure on O'Brien as a focal point for Ireland on both sides of the ball.

O'Brien and Ireland will now begin preparations for the quarter-finals where they will face Pool D winners France next Sunday in Sandy Park, home of former Champions Cup winners Exeter Chiefs.