Sheva out to prove herself 'on and off the field' to earn seat on plane Down Under 

 Like fellow newcomer Aoife Mannion, Philadelphia-born Sheva insists she was onboard with Ireland before the glitter of a showpiece was guaranteed.

KEEN NEWCOMER: Marissa Sheva poses for a portrait during a Republic of Ireland women training camp in Marbella, Spain. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Steeplechase specialist Marissa Sheva admits she’s still got a few hurdles to mount to join “rock star” Denise O’Sullivan on the plane to the Women’s World Cup ambition.

The Philadelphia-born attacker has earned her first Ireland call-up for a training camp in Spain, which concludes with next Wednesday’s friendly against China in Cadiz.