Back in August 2018, then Republic of Ireland manager Colin Bell talked up some of the country's most promising talents.
One of them was Claire O'Riordan. The defender had just departed Wexford Youths to join Bundesliga side MSV Duisberg, and the feeling was that she, along with the likes of Leanne Kiernan and Heather Payne who had also just left the Women's National League to go to England, would form part of a new Irish backbone.
It would be four years before O'Riordan started for Ireland again.
She's had to show patience and resilience in that period but they're two qualities the Limerick woman has in spades. She suffered an awful ankle injury a year ago that required surgery, but O'Riordan came back stronger from that, her form in Germany proving too good for Pauw to ignore.
Having been part of the last few squads, injuries to Megan Connolly, Niamh Fahey and a Jamie Finn suspension opened the door for O'Riordan to make a long-awaited start in Tuesday's 1-0 win in Slovakia. She grabbed it with both hands.
"We're footballers we enjoy playing football. It makes us happy," the 27-year-old told RTÉ Sport afterwards.
"Everyone is absolutely delighted with the result, we couldn't be happier.
"The last couple of days we knew that we were going to be without Megan Connolly so it was up to the coaching staff to fill the gap. It could have been any one of us to jump in and do the job.
"I'm obviously delighted it was me and that I could step into the shoes of Megan Connolly."
It's a running theme among Pauw and all of her players that this is a squad effort.
Katie McCabe and Louise Quinn in particular have spent the week talking about the importance of the collective; McCabe actually dedicated the Slovakia win to "the girls back home who are injured and suspended".
O'Riordan backed up the sense that this really is a close group adding: "We've shown in this campaign that we need the squad, we need the bench, everyone is vital. You saw the girls who came in to get the result we needed today so we're all going to go away and continue to work even harder for the next game in October.
"The atmosphere and the feeling within the group from day one when we came in has been unbelievable. Everyone is so happy to be here. It really is a joy to be in here."
Megan Campbell is another player whose overcome adversity to help Ireland into the World Cup play-offs.
Campbell's career was in jeopardy after a nightmare run of injuries but she returned to the fold against Finland last Thursday after a three-year absence and then impressed again on Tuesday.
"We dug deep. We had to," she said, drained but elated after two games in five days.
"I'm very grateful to the squad and Vera to bring me back in. I had to work hard. It's a credit to the girls, it just shows how far they've come in the three years I was gone. It's come up a massive level.
"Yeah it's been tough, but I'm delighted to be back out with them again.
"I was always going to work my butt off to get myself back in and around it. Seeing them from afar, it's been incredible to see the progress they've made under Vera and how the girls are working. A lot of them have gone professional now and I think that's been a massive thing for us.
"Our heads are firmly on the next game but our feet are grounded. We're looking forward to the next challenge."
So it's full steam ahead now to October when Ireland will play a round two play-off against a yet to be determined opponent. The draw takes place on Friday.
The vibes are overwhelmingly positive - but there will, naturally, be intense competition within the group too as everyone scraps for the shirt.
"It's unbelievable how this team is growing because tonight it was not nice, with not good football, not our best game, but you can see that these tigers can fight for the win," Pauw reflected.
"We were in control even though it was a fight, there were nasty moments, but we've grown so much.
"After such an explosion of emotion [on Thursday], being ready again a few days later shows the fantastic work from the whole group. Those players have such a drive to make that step forward."
