Ireland’s Katie McCabe and Abbie Larkin are living proof of the rise that has been witnessed in women’s sport over the last number of years, and although they’re key stakeholders in the journey, they’re also keen observers too.
Speaking at the announcement of of Larkin’s as a new Cadbury ambassador for their Supporter & A Half Campaign, they marvelled at the “buzz” around Ireland’s female athletes right now, but in particular a local hero of theirs - fellow Dublin woman Rhasidat Adeleke.
“It’s exciting right now isn't it,” McCabe says, referencing the surge of hype and support around women’s sport in recent years.
“The Olympics coming up, the medals in Rome [at the European Athletics Championships], it’s been great to see,” she adds.
“Rhasidat [Adeleke] especially, she is absolutely flying it! I’m fangirling over her at the minute because she is so so good at what she does and she’s a fantastic role model for young girls in athletics in Ireland.
“She’s also from Tallaght, so that’s great too!”
The Ireland captain and Arsenal left back expanded on the point too, touching on how it’s important to continue to have allyship with fellow women’s sports stars around the country and beyond.
“It’s great to see so many Irish women doing so well,” she says, continuing that she thinks “in women's sport we naturally just kind of support each other and it's so nice to see that.”
“Obviously we had the buzz last year with the World Cup, and the athletics has taken over this summer which is fantastic to see and we’re always going to be big supporters of that,” she adds.
One year on from that World Cup mania, the pair are determined to see women’s football continue on it’s upwards trajectory in Ireland, helped along of course by brands like Cadbury.
“From our point of view we’ve both come from grassroots football, me more so being involved with boys initially and Abbie then a few years younger than me who was involved with girls as well. That’s what’s fantastic about this sponsorship with Cadbury is how they’re looking to increase that from a participation point of view,” McCabe says.
“That aligns really nicely for both of us because we both know what that feels like being a young player growing up. It has its challenges but seeing it improve year after year is great but like it’s so nice to go back home, back to Ringsend, to Kilnamanagh and Templeogue, it’s great to see that we’re getting better and we want to keep improving that for sure the next few years,” she adds.
Larkin, who herself made the jump overseas to pursue her footballing dream around this time last year, knows all too well the importance of support and encouragement in that journey.
Now playing with Crystal Palace, who were recently promoted to the WSL, the 19 year old is relishing in the opportunity to play against the world’s best players.
“I'm really enjoying it and I can't wait for next season,” she says.
“Izzy is there as well and that made it a bit easier to settle in because I had her with me.
“I'm really looking forward to playing against this one [points to McCabe]. I'm looking forward to the step up to the WSL and yeah I cant wait to go back for preseason.”
Katie McCabe and Abbie Larkin talk the Páirc Uí Chaoimh game and their remaining European Championship 2025 Qualifiers
Usually McCabe, Larkin and their fellow Girls In Green are attuned to Dublin as their home venue for Ireland games, but with clashes surfacing there in their usual fortresses of Tallaght and the Aviva Stadium, Páirc Uí Chaoimh has emerged as the spot for their next home fixture.
Taking on England away in Carrow Road, Norwich, on July 12th, before facing the might of France in Cork, on July 16th, the switch up will be a welcome one for their teammates who hail from the county, Denise O’Sullivan and Megan Connolly.
“Denise was kind of like, ‘at last, It’s finally happening again down in Cork’ and I said she can have that one because we’re usually up in Dublin whether that’s Tallaght or the Aviva,” McCabe smiles as she recalls.
“But no look it's really exciting even to extend our games down to the south of Ireland and see our fans there. We’re so used to obviously our home, being in Dublin, so I know we’re really excited to see the atmosphere down in Cork, they’ve always got a fantastic turnout no matter what sort of sport it is,” she adds.
“So yeah, really, really exciting and I'm happy for the Cork heads of the team to play in their hometown,” she concludes.
About Cadbury’s Supporter & A Half Campaign
As the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team (WNT) prepare to make history with their first ever game in Munster later this month, Cadbury has announced team player Abbie Larkin as their new brand ambassador. Larkin joins WNT team captain Katie McCabe as an ambassador for the much-loved brand who is the official snack partner of the Republic of Ireland’s WNT.
Cadbury Ireland partnered with FAI in 2021 and created the Cadbury Become A Supporter & A Half campaign to give visibility to women’s football by driving awareness and encouraging participation. The brand, which is synonymous with generosity, activates the campaign in communities at grassroots clubs and has supported over 60 clubs to date.
Through the Cadbury Become A Supporter & A Half campaign, McCabe and Larkin will together help drive awareness and participation in senior women’s football around the country. Both WNT players started their football careers in grassroots clubs before making national and international stages and understand the challenges for women in football.
Welcoming Abbie Larkin as the new joint ambassador for Cadbury, Ireland’s Women’s National Team captain and Cadbury ambassador, Katie McCabe said:
“I have seen first-hand what it can mean to have support as a young player and initiatives like Cadbury Become A Supporter & A Half are incredible because they really support the game. Cadbury has shown amazing commitment, dedication, and generosity to clubs around Ireland as well as continuing with their support to the Women’s National Team. Not only is Cadbury shining a spotlight on grassroots football, but it is also actively driving participation and interest in the sport. I encourage everyone to get involved with their local club, whether it’s kicking a ball, helping with training, being a supporter or joining the committee - there’s a role for everyone, and it’s the community that makes it. I’m thrilled my fellow teammate Abbie Larkin will be joining me as a brand ambassador, and together we’ll work to drive the Cadbury Become A Supporter & A Half campaign.”
Adding to this, newly announced Cadbury ambassador and Ireland’s Women’s National Team player, Abbie Larkin said:
“I am honoured to join Katie in helping share positive messages about the Cadbury Become A Supporter & A Half campaign. When I was growing up, there were no girls’ teams, so to know that initiatives like Cadbury Become A Supporter & A Half is driving support, awareness and participation in women’s football from grassroots clubs right up to senior level, is just amazing and feels very natural for me to be part of that and support it. I absolutely love football and it’s my passion and I would love to see more women get involved. Thanks to everyone for their support over the last few years and I encourage everyone to become a Cadbury Supporter & A Half!”.
As part of Cadbury Supporter & A Half campaign, women across Ireland are invited to participate in the FAI Cadbury Kick Fit programme running across Ireland this summer. The programme is a non-competitive initiative aimed at women over 18 who want to get active and meet new people while enjoying football at their local club.
To become A Supporter & A Half, people across the nation can support grassroots clubs by purchasing a Cadbury product and help teams to recruit coaches, players, volunteers and club stalwarts. For more information on Cadbury Become A Supporter & A Half campaign and its initiatives, see cadbury.ie/supporter or follow the conversation on socials at @CadburyIreland.
