Katie McCabe makes instant impression on Chelsea debut in 7-0 Win

Ireland captain Katie McCabe shines on her Chelsea debut

The game, played overnight Irish time, took place at Eden Park, a venue familiar to Irish sports fans as a host of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Operating down the left flank, the Dubliner was at the heart of Chelsea’s attacking play.

It was her whipped corner that teed up striker Aggie Beever-Jones for the goal that completed her hat-trick inside just 22 minutes.

Beever-Jones was quick to praise the club’s summer signings afterwards.

“They don’t even feel like they’re new members because they’ve slotted right in,” she told Chelsea’s in-house media.

“Katie is one of them. I think she adds a bit of experience and is so authoritative on the pitch.”

It marks a notable turnaround in McCabe’s standing at the club.

Manager Sonia Bompastor had strong words for the Ireland skipper after an altercation during last season’s Champions League quarter-finals, but the pair appear to have moved on.

Bompastor hopes her new arrivals can fire Chelsea back to silverware after a season without a WSL or Champions League trophy.

It is a promising start to the campaign for one of Ireland’s standout players abroad, with plenty more of the pre-season tour still to come.