Every World Cup adventure for the Republic of Ireland has included an unlikely hero who emerged from the shadows.
In 1990, Andy Townsend took flight in the finals in Italy; four years later in the United States it was Phil Babb’s turn to star, before Mark Kinsella seized his moment in 2002 in Japan.
Might Marissa Sheva fill the role Down Under for the Irish women’s team as they gear up for their first World Cup involvement?
It’s quite possible. Vera Pauw knows the value of having an ace up her sleeve, and Sheva, relatively unknown on the international stage, has put herself forward as a potential joker in the 23-woman pack.
When Ireland stunned the Scots to reach their Holy Grail last October, Sheva was uncapped and relatively unknown.
By then, Pauw was aware of her eligibility – through her Donegal grandparents, Sheva embarked on Irish citizenship in early 2021 – and also her playing credentials at Washington Spirit in the NWSL.
When Ireland headed off to Marbella in February for a training camp and a friendly against China, Sheva was one of the newcomers on board.
And the native of Sellersille, Pennsylvania, has stayed on board, too, figuring in three games out of four this year, and making the 23-woman cut for the finals.
With France docking in Tallaght Stadium on Thursday for the World Cup send-off, Sheva will be eager to seize her moment and provide Pauw with a selection poser.
The 26-year-old offers Pauw versatility, as she can play on either flank, or through the middle.
So where does Sheva prefer, out wide or central?
‘That’s an interesting question because, during my college time, I was mainly a winger but professionally I play in the centre,’ she said.
‘In this Ireland formation, where there’s pocket players behind the striker, it is very similar to our approach at Washington. It is 4-4-2 but with a diamond. I’ve been playing off the right.
‘Those similarities make it easier going between camps and my club. I really like the system and have been getting more comfortable.’
Not only has Sheva an academic background – she studied Security Risk Analysis in Pennsylvania State College – she’s an accomplished middle-distance athlete, proficient at 1,500m and the 3,000m steeplechase.
‘I ran on the track as a kid but had to choose between them at college. Luckily the coaches there liked me doing both so I was playing football in Autumn and, once winter and spring came, it was track full-time.
‘I’ve since moved beyond competitive running but feel the background benefits me in football.’
Sheva makes a point of saying ‘football’ although she might as well stay with ‘soccer’, as the Aussies call the sport by that name – their men’s team are ‘The Socceroos’, although the women’s are ‘The Matildas.’ With heat and humidity expected in Australia, Sheva’s stamina could well prove an asset.
It won’t be as sticky in Dublin 24 on Thursday, where Sheva could make her first appearance on ‘home turf’ – that would be a very proud moment for her grandfather, John McCaul from Tyrone.
‘I talk to him a lot and know he’s excited and proud,’ she said.
On her maiden Irish voyage to Marbella, Sheva recalled how her grandfather brought her to Ireland for her high school graduation. ‘I think I touched every corner of the country.’
She has always been aware of her Irish roots, on her mother’s side – her grandmother, Kathleen Cassidy, hails from Donegal.
‘My grandparents and parents did an incredible job making me really proud of my Irish roots and keeping us involved in the Irish-American community.
‘It really felt like a second home of sorts when we would go to events at the Irish Society of Greater Philadelphia or the Donegal Society,’ she said.
Sheva made the cut for the squad and was able to enjoy the moment, while feeling for those who missed out.
‘The Sky gig was brilliant, allowing us to let the World Cup sink in, that this is the group that’s going to Australia.
‘It’s been a tough week learning who would and wouldn’t be going, with a lot of emotions for our friends who won’t be going.’
Having overcome jet lag, Sheva is set to spring forward.
‘I arrived on Monday. I think we’re starting to get there. It’s definitely tougher than flying from east to west. I’ve struggled the first few days. The staff have been great, easing me into training.’
Now, it’s all about making her mark against France, the world’s fifth-ranked team.
‘That’s an exciting one. The staff did a great job of picking strong opposition. Vera said to us that you don’t gain confidence from playing against weak opponents. That’s so true.
‘Despite losing to the USA, those performances gave us confidence that we’re going in the right direction.
‘We’re playing the best teams in the world and France will be no exception. Let’s see how we match up.’
The sell-out World Cup opener against Australia in Sydney is coming ever closer. Few give Ireland a chance of advancing to the knock-out phase but Sheva dares to believe.
‘Objectively, we have a tough group but there’s a chance to squeeze out of it. The only way to prepare for that group is by facing the other top teams.’
