Sheva and Farrelly Named to Ireland’s World Cup Roster

The Philadelphia region will have two World Cup players at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Earlier today, Ireland head coach Vera Pauw named Sellersville’s Marissa Sheva and Havertown’s Sinead Farrelly in her 23-player World Cup roster.

This will be the first World Cup appearances for both players, who joined the Irish national team earlier this year.

Our @FIFAWWC squad is here 💚#COYGIG pic.twitter.com/VTzFH7iDBZ

— FAI Women (@FAIWomen) June 28, 2023

Here they are!

Your @FIFAWWC squad announcement is here ☘️ pic.twitter.com/RGjaLvQnDH

— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 28, 2023

Sheva made her Ireland debut in February against China then made her first starts against the United States in early April, playing 85 minutes in the 2-0 loss on the 8th then going 69 minutes in the 1-0 loss on the 11th. Sheva joined the Washington Spirit last year, making eight appearances, three of them starts. After signing a contract for this season, she has appeared in ten league games, starting twice, and has started all three Challenge Cup games. Washington currently sits in 4th place (6-2-5, 23 points) and had its best-ever start to a league season. Sheva scored her first goal in a 4-2 win over Orlando in May.

The Penn Fusion youth player, who also represented the U.S. at the youth level, excelled at track and field. She was a state champion for Pennridge, winning two indoor and two outdoor titles in addition to placing in the top-six at states in cross country. At Penn State, she won the Women’s College Cup in 2015 and went on to appear in 93 games, scoring 13 goals while adding 9 assists. In 2018, she also ran track for the Nittany Lions, recording PRs in the mile (4:25.06) and the 800 (2:14.12).

Prior to the Spirit, she spent several months with Deportivo Alavés Gloriosas in Spain before returning home during the Covid season to play with the Utah Royals in the 2020 Challenge Cup. Injury kept her out for the 2021 season and into early 2022 before she signed with the Spirit, her home ever since.

Marissa Sheva's going to the World Cup 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/t4bb29kl2j

— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) June 28, 2023

Farrelly made her debut against the United States April, playing 60 minutes in the game against the United States on April 8. The start marked Farrelly’s return to competitive soccer following a seven-year absence. Just prior to her Ireland debut, she signed with Gotham FC and has appeared in 11 games this season, starting four. She has also started two Challenge Cup games. Her lone assist on the season came against Chicago in May. Gotham is currently in 5 th place (6-4-3, 21 points) but is second in the East Division of the Challenge Cup.

Unstoppable. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/D5COsQVNc1

— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) May 7, 2023

The former U.S. Youth National Team player at the U17, U20, and U23 levels previously appeared in 52 NWSL games, compiling 3 goals and 2 assists with Kansas City and Portland. She had two loan spells with Cypriot club Apollon Limassol. At the University of Virginia, Farrelly was twice named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy. In her senior season, she scored 12 goals, adding 7 assists, and earned All-American honors as well as the ACC Offensive Player of the Year. Her 90 appearances trails only Becky Sauerbrunn, the USWNT captain. An all-Delco player out of Haverford High, Farrelly played club soccer for both FC Delco and Spirit United and was taken No.2 by the Philadelphia Independence in the 2011 WPS Draft.

Beyond proud. Beyond excited. 🥹🇮🇪

Sinead Farrelly, yall! #FIFAWWC 🔜 pic.twitter.com/QE6WkSbn3M

— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) June 28, 2023

Ireland will open against hosts Australia on July 20 in Sydney. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 a.m. EDT on FOX. Their second game will be against Canada in Perth at 8 a.m. EDT on FS1. Ireland will then face Nigeria in Perth for their final group stage game at 8 a.m. EDT on FS1. The squad will need to finish top-two in Group B to advance to the knockout rounds.