YES SHE CAN

Parents backing Abbie to take team to next stages

- SEAN MURPHY and MARK MCCADDEN

IRELAND star Abbie Larkin's parents are dreaming their daughter will be the goal hero when the Girls in Green play Canada.

Pubs across the country are tipped to be busy as fans cheer the players on to record a vital victory today to help them qualify out of Group B.

Canada are the reigning Olympic champions but Ireland need to beat them in Perth after losing to co-hosts Australia on opening day last Thursday.

Breakout player Abbie, 18, from Ringsend in Dublin, is being supported in Oz by proud mum Ethel and dad Robert.

He said: "This is the stage that she wants to be on. This is where it all happens.

Ethel added: "From the time that she could walk, she had a ball at her feet and always wanted football boots for presents from Santa every year. She'd say, 'I don't want dolls, I want football boots'. She loves everything to do with football." 

A group of Irish nurses, who are based in Sydney, travelled across the width of the vast country to cheer on the team.

Aoife Bresnan said: "We're so lucky that we can travel over for it."