Ringsend is buzzing with excitement as the community rallies behind local soccer player Abbie Larkin, who has been selected to represent Ireland in the World Cup. The area is adorned with Irish flags and an “Abbie Wall” has been erected in the center of Ringsend to show support for the 18-year-old athlete.
Abbie’s uncle, Michael Larkin, expressed his pride and admiration for his niece, stating, “She’s our Ringsend Rose, our Ringsend hero at the end of the day no matter what happens.” The Larkin family, along with the entire community, have been actively involved in decorating the area and organizing a major screening of the match in Irishtown Stadium. The efforts have garnered attention from far and wide, with even the Nigerian Embassy sending representatives to take photographs of the Abbie Wall.
The community spirit in Ringsend is palpable, and Michael Larkin believes there is no community quite like it. He spoke about the impact Abbie’s success has had, stating, “The Abbie song is absolutely amazing; it’s being played all over Sydney.” Regardless of the outcome of the World Cup, the community is eagerly awaiting Abbie’s return and plans to welcome her home in style, potentially with a rooftop bus parade.
John Behan, a local resident, expressed his admiration for Abbie and her achievements, stating, “She’s made her family so proud. I was at Mass two weeks ago and even the parish priest was talking about her.” He also highlighted the impact Abbie has had on the local soccer scene, mentioning the ladies’ team he formed in 1993 and the subsequent success of players such as Kathleen Cullen and Claire Kenny.
Local businesses have also shown their support for Abbie and the Irish team. The Yacht Tavern has even changed its name to Larkins for the duration of the match and is offering discounted prices to patrons. Ladbrokes in Ringsend has decorated its premises with Irish flags and adjusted its opening hours to accommodate the early kick-off.
The excitement is not limited to Ringsend alone. The Irish band The Pullovers has created a song dedicated to Abbie, and Ladbrokes staff have changed their opening hours in celebration of the Irish team. The entire community is united in their support for Abbie and the Irish team, with hopes for a successful World Cup campaign.
Liam Gregg, a local resident, spoke of Abbie’s involvement in coaching young children in soccer and expressed his pride in seeing her progress to the international stage. He stated, “We’ve a Ringsend girl, and hopefully she gets some game time.”
As the first match against Australia approaches, the anticipation and support for Abbie Larkin continues to grow. The community of Ringsend stands united, ready to cheer on their local hero and the Irish team in their World Cup journey.