Katie McCabe believes that growing up in a large family has helped prepare her to lead the Women’s National Team - as the footballers prepare for the World Cup next month.
The WNT captain said that being one of 11 kids meant that she became an "excellent people person".
The Dublin native said: "You’re constantly managing people because there are lots of different people, different characters, moods, emotions."
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She told Irish Country magazine: "I love working with people; I love that connection and understanding people and how they work and what makes them tick.
"I try to bring that into being a leader on and off the pitch with Ireland, and even in my leadership role within Arsenal as well.
"For me it’s about being a good person and looking after the person before the player.
"I try to instil those values every time I’m in camp."
Katie recalls being the only girl playing for the senior team in Crumlin United and how she surprised the lads on the team, when she showed up for training with her brother, Gary.
"You quickly silence them when you get a ball at your feet and stick one at the back of the net.
"Or when you score an important goal in a big game and you get that respect.
"But you’re still really targeted; if I’m running past, they’d always make sure they’d try to take me out."
Katie is the ambassador to a new programme called FAI Cadbury Kick Fit, which encourages women to participate in senior football around the country.
She said: "I think the Kick Fit programme hits home with me because I was a 15, 16-year-old playing for senior women’s football teams that didn’t get the support, and obviously Cadbury are trying to support women’s teams at senior level.
"It’s something I’ve loved being a part of and hopefully we will continue to improve women’s football in Ireland."
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