Erin McLaughlin is still only 20, but Eileen Gleeson's willingness to flush youngsters into her Republic of Ireland squad is prematurely nudging the Peamount United striker towards senior status.
Gleeson has integrated a different rising, home-based star into her panel in almost every international window, with the boss tapping into the Peas' well of talent in particular.
Indeed McLaughlin was rewarded for her own excellent form with the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division champions as she featured throughout the UEFA Nations League, making her first senior start away to Albania in November.
In the last few months McLaughlin has been there to welcome clubmates Freya Healy [16], Ellen Dolan [17] and - most recently - Jess Fitzgerald [17] into the setup. The Peas in a pod are really flourishing.
"Freya and Ellen were in before Christmas and that was brilliant to see them stepping up," said McLaughlin, speaking to the media from the Florence ahead of Ireland's friendly against Italy on Friday.
"Now Jess has been given the opportunity. I think Jess was the standout player in the league last year. She started every game for us in the centre of midfield and never put a foot out of line and was brilliant all season. I'm delighted that Jess got the call-up now and it's fully deserved.
"I don't think there's any secret [to why Peamount are getting so many players called up].
"The young ones just came in last year and really stepped up when we needed them to, the likes of Freya, Jess and Ellen. There were a couple of injuries at Peamount and [manager] James [O'Callaghan] has given them their chance to play senior football. They just took it with both hands.
"And near the end of the season it's what really seen us through, to have the three of them in our starting XI."
McLaughlin effectively kept her fellow Donegal woman Amber Barrett out of the last Ireland squad, but both have made the cut for the game in Italy and subsequent clash with Wales next Tuesday.
Their career paths are eerily similar. Both attackers came from the northwest to Dublin to study teaching at Maynooth University, and wound up playing at Peamount before getting their Ireland calls.
McLaughlin has often described Barrett as being a huge influence - and though the pair are in competition for a starting place up front, their relationship is strong.
"When I first came into the squad in 2022, Amber was someone I looked up to a lot and she really looked out for me and made me very welcome," said McLaughlin.
"Any issues I had, I could go to Amber. I felt really comfortable around her. She's someone that will always look out for me and I think we obviously have that bond being from Donegal and kind of knowing what it's like. It's great to have someone like her in the squad and I always know she's there if I need anything.
"She's someone I look up to a lot and having gone down the same pathway - Maynooth University as well as Peamount. It's really good. I'm delighted she's back in."
"Whenever you have that manager that believes in you, you feel better."
McLaughlin will hope to get a run at some point in the next two games, though she is still in pre-season with Peamount's campaign not starting until March. They will compete in the Champions League this year, another exciting layer to a big 2024.
"Definitely more glory with Peamount," she replied when asked what her main targets were.
"On the club front, that would be the main goals and, with the Ireland squad, it's just keep pushing, keep getting myself into the squad and hopefully pushing for a spot.
"I think it helps whenever you have a manager that believes in you and gives you that opportunity to grow. Without the opportunities, the likes of me, Jess, Freya and Ellen probably wouldn't have had the chance to step up into the team so whenever you have that manager that believes in you, you feel better and you can grow as a player."
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