After providing an assist on her competitive Chelsea debut against Real Sociedad, Katie McCabe fills us in on her journey so far and how she likes to spend her time away from the sport.

Could you start by telling us where you grew up and what it was like?

I grew up in Tallaght in Dublin. And, yeah, it was amazing; proper old school. There were no phones, so just constantly out on the football pitches playing football with the boys and spending time with my siblings.

What age did you start playing football?

I think five or six.

What was the name of your first grassroots team?

Kilnamanagh AFC, you'll have to do your research on that one, though!

How old were you when you first joined an academy?

There were no academies, just the boys' team when I was six.

What's been your career highlight to date?

I think probably qualifying for the World Cup with Ireland in 2023.

Who are your best friends in football?

I'm lucky; I have a lot. But my best friend, I would say, is Grace Moloney.

Could you name your top three favourite players of all time?

I've got all these legends appearing in my mind! I love Damien Duff. I loved Niamh Fahey - she also played for Chelsea. And Eden Hazard.

Have you got any nicknames?

No.

What do you like to do away from football? How do you switch off?

I like to be with my friends, going out and socialising. And I like to spend time with my dog and my cat.

Are you watching any TV series currently?

I'm currently in the middle of the Rafa Nadal documentary.

If we looked at your Spotify playlist, who's dominating your most played artists of the year?

Sonny Fodera and Fisher. They're both DJs.

What are your top three holiday destinations, either that you’ve been to or want to visit?

I love Ibiza, Majorca and I also love going to Australia.

If you had guests over for dinner, what would you cook for them?

My famous chicken pie.

Tell the fans something they might not know about you...

I think all the information about me is out there already! Maybe that I have 11 siblings.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Don't get too high with the highs, and don't get too low with the lows.

Finally, what does football mean to you?

Football is a massive part of my life, but it's not my whole life. And I think as I've gotten older, I've realised that a bit more. I think to get the best out of me from a football point of view, I know I need to have balance off the pitch.