SHEVA HUNGRY FOR MAR' IN A GREEN JERSEY

SUCCESS is infectious. Marissa Sheva feels it every time she walks into an Ireland camp now - the hum in the dressing room, the sense that both the men’s and women's teams are pulling in the same direction for the first time in years.

- BY GARRY DOYLE

“It's exciting,” says the 19-times capped Ireland midfielder about the mood in Carla Ward's international squad.

“The success we're having currently is really motivating. There's a buzz about both teams — and that helps us.”

Sheva carries her own share of that momentum. Her goal in last month's Nations League promotion playoff win over Belgium - arguably her best in green — still lingers with her.

“It feels like we were just together three or four weeks ago. I still feel that buzz,” she says.

Players went back to their clubs energised; Sheva returned to Sunderland a little more sure of herself.

And Sunderland has changed the American-born star.