Alanna Cunnane reports from Irishtown Stadium
Flags, face paint, a band and plenty of green jerseys-the components that made up a little piece of Down Under in Ringsend this afternoon, cheering on local hero Abbie Larkin in Ireland’s opening World Cup fixture versus Australia.
Although the result didn’t go the way of Vera Pauw’s side, the Dublin teenager’s performance in their 1-0 defeat certainly did. Unflinching under the weight of the occasion, Larkin shone bright on the world stage. She became the youngest Irish footballer to play in a World Cup when she replaced Sinead Farrelly. Larkin was relentless, venturing forward in pursuit of an equaliser.
⚽️ Ringsend react to the news that Abbie Larkin is entering the fray here for 🇮🇪 Ireland vs Australia 🇦🇺
☘️ A proud moment for her, her family and the entire community!
19 years of age, here’s hoping she takes the World Cup by storm 👏 @ballsdotie #Coygig pic.twitter.com/Ex1KqTaOpp— Alanna Cunnane (@acunnane10) July 20, 2023
It was announced on the conclusion of the watch party event that a total of 1152 people were engrossed in the Girls In Green frenzy at the Irishtown Stadium, and although the Shamrock Rovers star didn’t feature until the 63rd minute her presence was felt, on both sides of the globe.
Every time Larkin drove forwards, applied a stellar touch or launched a cross into the box local folklore will account that you could almost hear the support from Ringsend in Sydney, adored by friends, family, neighbours and members of the community in attendance.
The amenities and entertainment available to those who came along to today’s event alongside the fixture were plentiful, with live music, Irish dancing, a DJ session and off the cuff football mini games in full flow.
☘️ Some halftime entertainment here at Ringsend’s World Cup watch party- Irish dancing from the Larkins and the locals 💃 🕺
⚽️ Excitement building now for the second half! @ballsdotie pic.twitter.com/PjkSeYymPs— Alanna Cunnane (@acunnane10) July 20, 2023
Local hero Abbie Larkin is doing her family proud
As Larkin’s godmother Mary Jane Gannon describes, “Ringsend was on wheels. Literally.”
“It was actually organised by Michael Larkin, Abbie’s uncle and Edel is my sister, and I’m not joking they’ve put a trojan amount of work in, two weeks, non stop, morning noon and night”.
“There’s five different spaces and its all groups in the community. The first one is RCSF and RDRD, then the second one is the Ringsend community centre, the third one is DanceFire, the fourth is Cambridge FC and the last one is the neurodiversity group.
“We’re just so proud of her, I actually do be close to tears even thinking about it.”
Ahead of kickoff, @acunnane10 caught up with Abbie Larkin's godparents Mary Jane Gannon and Pat Larkin over in Irishtown. There's a huge gathering in the stadium to celebrate this momentous day.
|@CarlsbergIE 0.0 is an official partner of the Republic of Ireland Women’s… pic.twitter.com/Go3FAo5QEy— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 20, 2023
Pat Larkin, Abbie’s godfather talks of how she’s become a “huge hero” around the area and that now she’s “gone viral” in so many different ways.
“We have a song about her, a video about her and these giant screens here today…it’s amazing.”
Another uncle of the 18-year-old, also had his say, bursting with pride after her sensational showcase.
“It’s an achievement on its own [for her to play]”
“I didn’t think she was going to come on as quick as she has. I thought [Pauw] would have put on another striker instead but she got in there and she played well.
“It made everybody’s day…when she did come on she had a couple of chances and the place went beserk.
“She nearly clinched it. It was unlucky and unfortunately, we lost but we’ve two more games to go.
“Up Abbie."
Larkin's parents have travelled to Australia for the tournament and she was receiving plenty of love after the match from loved ones.
20 July 2023; Abbie Larkin of Republic of Ireland with Republic of Ireland supporters after the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Group B match between Australia and Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
With those two remaining group stage matches to go it remains to be seen how many minutes Larkin will garner throughout the rest of the tournament. She certainly put her hand up for a starting place against Canada next Wednesday, but it seems no matter what, she’s already done her homeplace proud.
SEE ALSO: Ireland Player Ratings As Pauw's Team Come Up Agonisingly Short Against Australia
