Abbie Larkin looking to take flight to World Cup dream

Abbie Larkin does not turn 18 until next month but the Republic of Ireland forward has already packed in a host of milestones in her burgeoning career.

The Ringsend native has been a full international for just over a year and has already netted once for Vera Pauw's side.

At club level, her medal collection includes two league titles and an FAI Cup with Shelbourne and she has recently made a high-profile switch to her current club, newcomers Shamrock Rovers.

But the biggest moment would surely be selection for Ireland's maiden World Cup appearance this summer and it's her aim to secure a spot on the plane to Australia.

"Definitely, that's one to work hard to. If I keep working hard and doing what I'm doing, just doing well every Saturday during the games in the league, I think hopefully I have a good chance of being on the plane," Larkin said at the FAI's announcement of its partnership with Circle K, the association's new official fuel and convenience partner.

The next meet-up for the Irish squad as they ramp up preparations for the tournament will be a double-header of friendlies against the world No 1 USA next month, before fixtures against Zambia and France in the summer.

In between times, Larkin says Pauw and her staff are keeping close contact with prospective domestic-based squad members.

"We do things called home-based sessions where [Pauw] brings in a lot of players she thinks are doing well in the Irish league and we train and play matches against boys. So she'll keep in touch a lot," Larkin told RTÉ Sport.

With plenty of competition among Pauw's striking options, club form will be paramount and Larkin is hoping to hit the ground running at this early phase of her Shamrock Rovers career.

The club, which has returned to