Abbie Larkin
{{Short description|Irish footballer (born 2005)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Abbie Larkin
| fullname = Abbie Sheila Larkin{{cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce93/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |title=FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 – Squad List: Republic Of Ireland (IRL) |publisher=FIFA |page=25 |date=11 July 2023 |access-date=11 July 2023}}
| image =
| caption =
| height = 1.67m
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2005|4|27}}{{cite news |last1=Duffy |first1=Emma |title=The 16-year-old sensation aiming for the stars after a recent Ireland senior debut |url=https://www.the42.ie/abbie-larkin-feature-2-5713040-Mar2022/ |access-date=20 March 2022 |publisher=The42.ie |date=18 March 2022}}
| birth_place = Ringsend, Dublin, Ireland
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Crystal Palace
| clubnumber = 27
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Cambridge Boys
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Home Farm
| youthyears3 =
| youthclubs3 = Shelbourne
| years1 = 2021–2022
| clubs1 = Shelbourne
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2023
| clubs2 = Shamrock Rovers
| caps2 =
| goals2 =
| years3 = 2023–2024
| clubs3 = Glasgow City
| caps3 = 9
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2024–
| clubs4 = Crystal Palace
| caps4 = 19
| goals4 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2022–
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland
| nationalcaps1 = 14
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| pcupdate = 27 May 2024 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 05:55, 30 April 2024 (UTC)
}}
Abbie Sheila Larkin (born 27 April 2005) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Crystal Palace and the Republic of Ireland national team.
Club career
Larkin is from Ringsend and played youth football for the local team Cambridge FC. At nine years old Larkin was accepted into The Metropolitan Girls League Academy two years earlier than the usual admission age of 11.{{cite news |last1=Conneely |first1=Rúairí |title=The world at their feet |url=http://www.newsfour.ie/2015/06/the-world-at-their-feet/ |access-date=20 March 2022 |publisher=News Four |date=15 June 2015}} She also played at youth level for Home Farm, before joining Shelbourne.{{cite news |last1=Concannon |first1=Claire |title=Abbie Larkin is Shelbourne's youngest player and this 16-year-old is one to watch |url=https://evoke.ie/2021/11/04/news/sport/abbie-larkin-is-shelbournes-youngest-player-and-this-16-year-old-is-one-to-watch |access-date=20 March 2022 |publisher=Evoke.ie |date=4 November 2021}}
In May 2021, Shelbourne manager Noel King dual-signed Larkin to the club's senior panel from their Women's Under 17 National League squad.{{cite tweet |user=shelsfc|number=1391086746201432065|date=8 May 2021|title=Congrats to Shels' U17 @FAI_WNL player Abbie Larkin who has been dual signed to our senior WNL side by manager Noel King. What a bright future ahead ✊ #RedsTogether {{!}} #Since1895}} She scored on her senior club debut, after entering play as an 84th-minute substitute for Saoirse Noonan in Shelbourne's 5–0 Women's National League win over Athlone Town at Tolka Park on 5 June 2021.{{cite news |last1=Hooper |first1=Dave |title=Shelbourne crush Athlone Town in WNL |url=https://www.shannonside.ie/sport/shelbourne-crush-athlone-town-in-wnl-183526 |access-date=20 March 2022 |publisher=Shannonside |date=6 June 2021}}{{cite web |title=Athlone Town WFC 0-5 Shelbourne FC |url=https://www.extratime.com/matches/detail/43148/1/ |publisher=Extratime.com |access-date=20 March 2022}}
In October 2021, Larkin made her first start for Shelbourne when Noelle Murray fell ill and was unable to play in a league match against Galway. Larkin was named player of the match, after scoring a goal and assisting another in Shelbourne's 2–0 win, which was televised live by TG4.{{cite news |last1=Donnelly |first1=David |title=Abbie Larkin stars on full debut as Shelbourne down Galway to keep slim title hopes alive |url=https://www.dublinlive.ie/sport/soccer/match-reports/abbie-larkin-stars-full-debut-22021155 |access-date=20 March 2022 |publisher=Dublin Live |date=30 October 2021}} Shelbourne overhauled Peamount United on a dramatic final day to win the 2021 Women's National League title.{{cite news |last1=O'Mahony |first1=Paul |title=Women's National League: "These are exciting times for women's football in Ireland. The time to jump on board is now…." |url=https://www.hotpress.com/culture/womens-national-league-these-are-exciting-times-for-womens-football-in-ireland-the-time-to-jump-on-board-is-now-22884266 |access-date=7 December 2021 |publisher=Hot Press |date=7 December 2021}} Larkin also played in the 2021 FAI Women's Cup Final, but Shelbourne were beaten 3–1 by Wexford Youths.{{cite news |last1=Cummiskey |first1=Gavin |title=Edel Kennedy's stunner seals FAI Cup for Wexford and denies Shels a double |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/edel-kennedy-s-stunner-seals-fai-cup-for-wexford-and-denies-shels-a-double-1.4734893 |access-date=21 November 2021 |publisher=The Irish Times |date=21 November 2021}}
Shelbourne announced that Larkin had signed for another season at the end of a successful 2022 Women's National League campaign, in which she helped the club secure a League and Cup double.{{cite news |title=Abbie Larkin commits to Shels |url=https://shelbournefc.ie/abbie-larkin-commits-to-shels/ |access-date=23 December 2022 |publisher=Shelbourne F.C. |date=9 December 2022}} However they were disappointed when Larkin subsequently experienced "a change of heart" and instead moved to newly-reformed Shamrock Rovers alongside some other Shelbourne players. A controversial and swiftly-deleted tweet on the Shelbourne club account, referencing The Red Flag lyrics 'Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer', was perceived as being aimed at the departing players and attracted "huge criticism",{{cite news |last1=O'Connor |first1=Sean |title=Jess Gargan says now-deleted Shelbourne tweet 'nothing short of embarrassing and unacceptable' |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/new-hoops-signing-jess-gargan-says-now-deleted-shelbourne-tweet-nothing-short-of-embarrassing-and-unacceptable-42238922.html |access-date=23 December 2022 |publisher=Irish Independent |date=22 December 2022}} particularly given Larkin's youth.{{cite news |last1=Kinsella |first1=Rudi |title=Shelbourne criticised over "cowards" social media post |url=https://punditarena.com/football/rudi-kinsella/shelbourne-abbie-larkin-tweet/ |access-date=23 December 2022 |publisher=Punditarena |date=21 December 2022}}
In September 2023, Larkin joined Glasgow City.{{cite web |url=https://independent.ie/sport/soccer/abbie-larkin-completes-move-to-glasgow-city-on-free-transfer-from-shamrock-rovers/a1958886011.html |title=Abbie Larkin completes move to Glasgow City on free transfer from Shamrock Rovers |first1=Seán |last1=O'Connor |date=2023-09-14 |website=independent.ie}} She scored nine goals in sixteen matches across all competitions, before moving to Crystal Palace in January 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68160516|title=Abbie Larkin: Crystal Palace buy Republic of Ireland forward from Glasgow City|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2024|access-date=31 January 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cd17nzr0ryeo|title=Larkin leaves Glasgow City for Crystal Palace|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2024|access-date=31 January 2024}}
International career
=Youth=
Larkin represented Ireland at schoolgirl level while she attended Ringsend College.{{cite news |title=Ireland U15 Schools side overcome Galway WFC test |url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u15-schools-side-overcome-galway-wfc-test |access-date=20 March 2022 |publisher=Football Association of Ireland |date=28 January 2020}} She progressed to the Republic of Ireland women's national under-17 football team and served as captain in their 2022 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship qualification campaign.{{cite news |title=PREVIEW {{!}} WU17 v Hungary |url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/match/101/2021/999947537?tab=preview |access-date=20 March 2022 |publisher=Football Association of Ireland |date=7 October 2021}}
=Senior=
Larkin was called up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad for the first time in February 2022, for the 2022 Pinatar Cup in Murcia.{{cite news |last1=Donnelly |first1=David |title=16-year-old Shelbourne winger Abbie Larkin gets first Ireland call-up as Megan Campbell returns |url=https://www.dublinlive.ie/sport/soccer/16-year-old-shelbourne-winger-23071089 |access-date=20 March 2022 |publisher=Dublin Live |date=11 February 2022}} She required her parents' permission to miss school for the trip.{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Philip |title='We have lost nine or ten players' – Vera Pauw warns Brexit has led to mass exodus of Irish talent |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ie/sport/football/we-have-lost-nine-or-ten-players-%E2%80%93-vera-pauw-warns-brexit-has-led-to-mass-exodus-of-irish-talent/ar-AATLEyY |access-date=20 March 2022 |publisher=Extra.ie |date=12 February 2022}} She won her first cap on 19 February 2022 in a 1–0 defeat by Russia and appeared as a half-time substitute for Kyra Carusa in a 1–0 win over Wales.{{cite news |last1=Fitzmaurice |first1=Aidan |title='It's about Sweden now' - Ireland star Denise O'Sullivan turns attention to World Cup clash after successful trip to Spain |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/womens-sport/its-about-sweden-now-ireland-star-denise-osullivan-turns-attention-to-world-cup-clash-after-successful-trip-to-spain-41373041.html |access-date=20 March 2022 |publisher=Irish Independent |date=22 February 2022}}
On 27 June 2022, Larkin scored her first goal for Ireland on the occasion of her fourth cap, in a 9–0 World Cup qualification win over Georgia in Gori. Coach Vera Pauw was impressed by Larkin's impact: "She's only 17-years-old, but I hope that everybody has seen how talented she is."{{cite news |last1=Duffy |first1=Emma |title='She's only 17-years-old, but I hope that everybody has seen how talented she is' |url=https://www.the42.ie/abbie-larkin-first-international-senior-goal-5801442-Jun2022/ |access-date=3 July 2022 |publisher=The42.ie |date=28 June 2022}}
In July 2023, Larkin was selected in the 23-woman squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12905524/republic-of-ireland-women-announce-womens-world-cup-squad-meet-the-girls-in-green|title=Republic of Ireland Women announce Women's World Cup squad: Meet the Girls in Green|publisher=Sky Sports|first=Maddy|last=Morrison|date=19 July 2023|access-date=31 January 2024}} She made her World Cup debut in the 1–0 loss to co-hosts Australia, coming on as a substitute for Sinead Farrelly,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66241420|title=Australia 1–0 Republic of Ireland|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Andy|last=Gray|date=20 July 2023|access-date=31 January 2024}} and in doing so, became the youngest player (male or female) to represent the Republic.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66276775|title=Women's World Cup 2023: Abbie Larkin says Republic of Ireland can reach round two|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Andy|last=Gray|date=23 July 2023|access-date=31 January 2024}} She would go on to make two more substitute appearances, as the Republic finished bottom of their group with one point.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66290708|title=Canada 2–1 Republic of Ireland|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Andy|last=Gray|date=26 July 2023|access-date=31 January 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66352670|title=Republic of Ireland 0–0 Nigeria|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Andy|last=Gray|date=31 July 2023|access-date=31 January 2024}}
Personal life
One of Larkin's cousins is fellow professional footballer Daniel Kelly, who plays for Shelbourne.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/abbie-larkin-ireland-world-cup-6108393-Jul2023/|title=At home with Ireland's youngest World Cup star: Fearless, a fighter, and a bit of a messer|publisher=The42.ie|first=Daniel|last=Sneyd|date=5 July 2023|access-date=25 August 2023}}
Career statistics
=International=
{{updated|match played 28 February 2024}}{{cite web |title=Republic of Ireland - A. Larkin - Profile with news, career statistics, and history |url=https://my.soccerway.com/players/abbie-larkin/793537/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=30 April 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4" |Republic of Ireland
|scope="row"| 2022 | 4 | 1 | |
| scope="row"| 2023 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2024
|5 |0 | |||
| 2025
|6 |0 | |||
| colspan="2" |Total | 26 | 1 |
:Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Larkin goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Abbie Larkin | ||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition !scope="col" class="unsortable"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} | ||
|---|---|---|
| align=center|1
|27 June 2022 | Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium Gori, Georgia | {{fbw|GEO}}
|align=center|8–0 |align=center|9–0 |2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification |{{Cite web | url = https://www.fai.ie/ireland/match/39/2023/999947155 | title = Georgia 0-9 WNT | date = 27 June 2022 | access-date = 15 May 2023 | publisher = FAI}} |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{UEFA player|250167405}}
- {{Soccerway|abbie-larkin/793537}}
{{Crystal Palace F.C. (Women) squad}}
{{Republic of Ireland squad 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Larkin, Abbie}}
Category:Republic of Ireland women's association footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland women's international footballers
Category:Women's association football forwards
Category:Shelbourne F.C. (women) players
Category:Crystal Palace F.C. (Women) players
Category:Association footballers from Dublin (city)
Category:Republic of Ireland women's youth international footballers