In Focus: McCabe cast in leading role as Irish enter world stage

Katie McCabe has already written herself into Irish history and can add another chapter this summer.

The Republic of Ireland international is heading into the tournament off the back of a superb season with Arsenal in the Women's Super League. 

Her stunning strike against Manchester City last April won the Goal of the Season award while the 27-year-old was also named Arsenal's Player of the Season. 

As Ireland prepare for their first Women's World Cup appearance — against hosts Australia on Thursday — McCabe will be hoping to take her club form on to the international stage.

Leading by example

McCabe is Ireland's inspirational leader. 

The Dubliner has captained the national team since the age of 21 and her performances were instrumental in securing their historic qualification, with manager Vera Pauw highlighting her influence. 

She said: "I think everybody can see the importance of Katie, on and off the pitch. 

"She is so influential as the leader of this squad and we all see the influence she has in play. She makes things happen. 

"She has matured so much under pressure at Arsenal in the WSL and we can all see how she has become a top, top star."

Versatile threat

Capable of playing anywhere on the left flank, McCabe's versatility has seen her develop a strong all-round game. 

She largely operated at left-back or left wing-back for Arsenal in the WSL last season but still proved her effectiveness going forward, scoring three goals and providing four assists.

The Gunners' No15 is exceptionally difficult to stop when in possession — she drew 38 fouls last season, a total surpassed only by Lucy Graham and Viviane Asseyi.

Ireland's icon

McCabe takes on even greater attacking responsibility for Ireland, scoring 18 goals from 73 caps. 

Pauw's decision to push her best player into more advanced areas paid off in World Cup qualifying.

She registered several vital strikes, including in a 1-1 draw against Slovakia, five goals in two fixtures against Georgia and the opener in a hard-earned draw in Sweden. 

McCabe credits the work of the team as a whole in helping her shoulder the side's attacking burden. 

She said: "Having an attacking role within the team, it's my job to create goalscoring opportunities and score goals. 

"But you don't do it on your own. The work we've done as a team to try to create more going forward has been really important to us."

No pressure

Ireland's appearance at a first World Cup is an achievement in itself, so there is no expectation of a run into the latter stages of the tournament. 

Much of the focus in their opening game will be on co-hosts Australia, who are ranked 10th in the world — Ireland are 22nd — and will have the backing of a vocal home crowd. 

But McCabe is unlikely to be overawed by the occasion. 

She said: "You can't get a better opening game than playing the hosts in Sydney in an 80,000-seater stadium. 

"I think the demand for that game and FIFA moving it to a bigger stadium says it all. It's going to be a massive game and, as the hosts, there's going to be a lot of pressure on them."

Against an Aussie side led by Chelsea phenomenon Sam Kerr, McCabe and her team-mates face a huge test in their World Cup bow.