Abbie Larkin is well aware of the magnitude of this FIFA Women's World Cup; she's just blessed with the relaxed confidence of youth that's helping her to take it all in her stride.
The Shamrock Rovers 18-year-old made history on Thursday against Australia when she became the youngest footballer to ever represent Ireland at a major tournament. Gary Kelly previously held that distinction; he was weeks away from turning 20 when he played at USA 94.
Larkin's display off the bench was impressive, further evidence of her potential to play at the very highest level, with clubs in England keeping a close eye on her development.
Not that any of this is affecting the Ringsend native, who admits she'd no idea she had the chance to etch herself into the record books ahead of the clash with the Matildas.
"I got told after the match by the girls," she said at the team's base in Brisbane.
"They said something about Gary, and I hadn't a clue who Gary was! I was like, 'I don’t know who this is?!’. I don’t know if that was a bad thing or not. It was amazing hearing that from the girls. We played well as a team, didn’t get the result but on to the next one."
"I didn't even know there was that many people in Ringsend."
Dublin's inner-city suburb of Ringsend is currently a shrine to the talented teen. Houses are decked in tricolours and bunting as the natives proudly celebrate one of their own sparkling on the global stage.
Larkin is over 16,000km and nine time zones away, but she feels and appreciates the support.
"I got so many videos from my family and friends, it was amazing the amount of people. I didn't even know there was that many people in Ringsend.
"I love being here, this is my dream, but just watching everything at home – watch parties and stuff like that – I am like, 'Oh my God'. It is mad, it’s so nice seeing all my friends, even my long-term friends from school and that are there, it is amazing."
Larkin looked right at home when she replaced Sinead Farrelly after 64 minutes against the Aussies, and she now has a real chance of starting Wednesday's massive showdown with Canada in Perth.
The reigning Olympic champions are a formidable outfit, but their opening-game draw with Nigeria showed they are fallible, with Larkin's pace and ability to take players on a weapon Vera Pauw could be tempted to use from the start.
"I was actually really nervous," Larkin admitted when reflecting on her introduction at the Accor Stadium.
"Coming out alongside Lucy [Quinn], you just heard the fans screaming and I am thinking, 'oh my God’. The biggest I have played in is at Tallaght, never mind 75,000 people. It was mad.
"When I came on the pitch the crowd was like white noise really, you could hear all the players and I was kind of in the moment then. I think it took me about five minutes to get the nerves out and it was more excitement really... just kind of playing football."
It helps to have a few experience heads in your corner, there to offer a guiding hand when things become a little overhelming. The Ireland squad has plenty of senior pros more than willing to do just that - though Larkin admits one in particular is a constant inspiration.
"Katie was literally like my idol when I was younger and she still is my idol even when I am playing with her," she says.
"Even coming on the pitch and playing alongside her is amazing. She is a great captain and just like that she will motivate you when you need it. She is amazing.
"They are all very supportive. You are playing in front of 70-something thousand people. It is like a dream so you want to go out and have the best game of your life no matter how long you are on the pitch for.
"We're like a family football team. That’s what I love about this team. As soon as I came in it felt like the right thing you know? They’re all friendly, they’re all welcoming, they’re all supportive. You have great craic with the girls. I don’t think I’d rather be with any other team in the whole tournament than these girls."
Her parents are Down Under too, proudly watching as the teenager goes from strength to strength. Over the course of the last year Larkin has become physically stronger and more assured, benefiting from Pauw's willingness to put her in at the deep end.
It's sink or swim in such environments, and Larkin is thriving.
"The confidence I am gaining and the experience I am getting from some players, it is unbelievable.
"I’m here enjoying myself, I always enjoy myself when I’m in these types of camps. There is a bit of stress there, it is a World Cup you know, it’s going to be a stressful camp.
"But I have a bunch of great girls around me. It’s kind of like a family at this stage, we’ve been with each other for so long. It feels like a second home."
What an impact 18-year-old Abbie Larkin made today. We discuss her prospects of starting in Perth on the daily World Cup podcast #wwc2023 #coygig
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 20, 2023
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And home, naturally, is where her heart is.
"It's cool. For someone from Ringsend, it's just… obviously there's no one else from Ringsend that’s gone to a World Cup, even thinking about it in that way, and obviously I’m a girl as well, it makes it more special for me.
"You’re creating that worldwide inspiration for girls that are young. The girls from where I’m from back home, I’ve seen pictures with them wearing jersies with 'Larkin’ on the back. And I’m like, 'this is crazy’. I coached some of these girls since they were younger. It’s crazy."
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