Sheridan rolls with it

WHAT with the wonder goals and the Oasis looks, Tony Sheridan fits the modern taste for nostalgic, end of decade retrospectiveness. A free spirit, he could have been part of Beatlesmania, and the golden age of cross channel football.

The hope is that he could become part of a new one, and one of the prime reasons behind the advance excitement over next Monday's Shelbourne St Patrick's FAI Harp Lager Cup final is simply his presence. Down Tolka way, they've long since stopped saying Shero is God, they say God is Shero.

What Tony is now, and there's a type of them coming back into football, is a throwback to the old ball players, says his manager Damien Richardson. "People who could dribble and take people on all the time. It's a nerve and a belief in your ability, taking the ball right up to people."

Sheridan embodies it, and after losing his way during his four years at Coventry, the former Lourdes Celtic prodigy is benefiting from the Shelbourne way and the National League environment.

Heretofore, Richardson has accommodated Sheridan on the right, where he can afford to drift in and out of games onto his favoured left foot with the pitch his oyster. Richardson accepts that Sheridan's natural progression to a more responsible, central midfield role may come next season, if not next Monday.

Cocky (which is no bad thing) and bright, Sheridan scarcely conceals his desire for it. "I've done really well but I'd like to do more. I'd like to play in central midfield. I hope to God he plays me there on Monday. I'm not consistent enough on the right. I'd rather be in where the action is, as people say. There's more pressure, on you, so you have to work a bit harder.

A talent that needs nurturing (Richardson puts the Coventry management to shame) Shelbourne have been good for him and vice versa. "I was disappointed no other club came in for me, but I'm only 21 and I'm a bit older and a bit wiser now, so if I do get a chance I'll go for it."

He wants it, desperately. It's his vocation in life. But he's in no mad frenzy and cup finals are made for him. "I'm not blowing our own trumpet but I think we're the best foot balling team in the League of Ireland at the moment. But if Pat's get going, too, it could be one of the best finals in years.

"I have a feeling, deep down, that not only me but the whole team will click on Monday. The buzz around the club since Sunday has been like it was in the middle of the season. That's all I can think about, the cup final. I'm not over confident, but I know we're going to win.