'It’s one of the best feelings I've ever had in my life': Larkin reflects on latest impact in green

Ireland’s Abbie Larkin celebrates scoring a late goal. Pic: Mick O’Shea/Inpho

Breaking Gary Kelly’s 29-year record as the youngest Irish player to feature at a World Cup was something for Abbie Larkin to cherish, but it was trumped by her Belgian belter.

The substitute’s final-minute deft flick in Tuesday’s second leg of the playoff in Leuven charts a course towards Brazil for Carla Ward’s side.

Larkin knows what horizons World Cup qualification brings, having gone to Australia in 2023 as an 18-year-old, the youngest member of the squad.

Tuesday’s draw will pit Ireland into a tough qualifying group between February and June of next year but they’ll confront those tasks in the knowledge their conquering of Belgium seals a backdoor route through the playoffs.

Larkin was left idle on Friday’s first leg – Ward opting for Saoirse Noonan as the impact striker of the bench in a 4-2 win – but the complexion of the return on Belgian soil required her attributes.

The Crystal Palace attacker tormented a tired Belgian defence, squandering an easier chance before she scooped the ball over goalkeeper Nicky Evrard after her initial attempt descended into an air-shot.

“I didn’t miss-kick the ball – only purposely just let it go past me to dink the ‘keeper,” she explained with a giggle.

The 20-year-old from Ringsend wheeled away in celebration, making a beeline to her cohort of fans, led by her parents Ethyl and Robert.

“It’s one of the best feelings I've ever had in my life,” she added. “And that’s including the World Cup.

“That was a really good experience at a young age but I think this beats that.

“It’s a last-minute winter and in a very important game. So to not have to go to penalties is one of the best feelings.

“Having my Mam and Dad in the crowd literally made it even more special.

“The support they've given me is incredible and they haven't been on an away trip since Australia.” 

Having beaten a Belgian side seven places ahead in the rankings, Larkin believes Ireland are capable of mixing it with Europe’s best. Ireland could end up in a qualifying group with World champions Spain and back-to-back Euro champions England.

“Just because we weren't at the Euros earlier this year doesn’t mean we can't give any team a good fight,” she said.

“We showed resilience today on the pitch, coming back in the second half after conceding twice.

“I would have liked to get a run last Friday but it didn't happen and this shows how you’ve to keep your mindset for the next game.

“And as hard as that sounds, I'm really proud of myself for doing it. I came on, knew my role and did my job.”