Sheridan's little touch of genius earns Shelbourne deserved replay

THE sponsors won't mind the description: pure genius elevated this FAI Harp Lager Cup final above the norm. It was the most skilful by far of the seven Lansdowne Road finals, but it seemed as if it was to have an anti climactic and unjust ending - until the wonderboy intervened with another wonder goal.

That Tony Sheridan's repertoire seems unlimited was underlined by a truly stunning equaliser four minutes from time. With Shelbourne reduced to 10 men after goalkeeper Alan Gough was dismissed after handling outside the area in the 19th minute, and trailing 1-0 to an unfortunate goal, Damien Richardson had gambled. In the dying minutes, he finally granted Sheridan the central midfield role which the 21 year old craves.

Shelbourne had kept passing it and had kept coming; and when the game's (nay, the country's) outstanding talent received the ball from another patient bout of passing and had St Patrick's backpedalling once more, no one knew what was going to happen next.

He thought about a shot, then turned inside. And when St Patrick's Eddie, Gormley inadvertently teed him up by flicking a heel at the ball, Sheridan expressed a brilliant, first time, pacey, 20 yard lob unerringly into Gareth Byrne's top left corner. We'll hardly, see a better goal in any Cup final around Europe in the next week or so.

Shelbourne deserved no less. They had taken the game to a curiously flat and nervy St Patrick's from the outset, and were always more, willing to get the ball down, pass it around from the back and utilise the width of the Lansdowne pitch.

Sheridan's football spoke louder than words yesterday and it must have given the watching Mick McCarthy food for thought. And, given the baby face make up of the senior squad for the tour of the US, it would send out all the right messages if Sheridan were drafted in.

Not that this was entirely a one man show. Shelbourne's football spread from the back, where the enduringly excellent Mick Neville transmitted confidence throughout a team which was hungrier for the ball and, more adventurous with it.

Darren Kelly proved an utterly, worthy if surprising choice as playmaker to fill the void created by Gary Howlett's injury. Alongside him in Shelbourne's five man midfield, Brian Flood (before he replaced Gough between the posts) and John O'Rourke rose to the occasion, Dave Tilson was a constant danger whenever he ran at St Patrick's and Stephen Geoghegan's close control was typically excellent.

By comparison, St Patrick's lacked fizz. The back four were, as ever, more than solid, and there were a few nuggets of class from Gormley, who will have benefitted from the match. Paul Osam maintained his good vein of form on the left, and Ricky O'Flaherty tried hard. But their most effective and creative player, in his own unflashy way, was Noel Mernagh.

The mood had been set from the start. Shelbourne held the ball longer, explored the flanks and twice got in behind the St Patrick's right back, Willie Burke, for crosses that were cut out.

It then seemed as if the match would be ruined when Liam Buckley slipped Ricky O'Flaherty through after 19 minutes. Alan Gough left his area and clearly played the ball with his trailing left hand Flaherty rounded him. Referee Pat Kelly, in his final game, could have taken the easy option, but took the hard one - and the right one.

A four minute delay ended with Flood reluctantly going into goal, but Shelbourne responded by rolling their sleeves up further and making light of the loss.

There was much good football to admire and countless crosses which just failed to be converted thanks to the high standard of defending. Nearing the break, Tilson and Stephen Geoghegan actually collided in attempting to convert O'Rourke's flick on from a Sheridan corner, and St Patrick's put together their best move of the half for O'Flaherty to play Gormley in, but Flood saved well.

The second half died temporarily, but the tension continued to bubble. Flood had his moments when he left his line and saw his clearance cannon off the incoming Buckley and fly wide, and, later, apparently carrying the ball over the line when he went to remove rolls of paper from his goal.

His teammates protected him valiantly. Neville denied the charging O'Flaherty a certain goal when he strained to get his receding hairline to Paul Campbell's 54th minute cross.

The origins of St Patrick's 76th minute goal were down to a good substitution - Martin Reilly adding more zest and mobility to the St Patrick's front line - though the free incurred by Ray Duffy's sliding tackle was harsh. Gormley whipped it in to the near post where Flood punched the ball off Dave Campbell's calf and saw it rebound into the net.

Shelbourne upped the tempo. A curler for the far post by Tilson was just too high, and a couple of enforced substitutions saw Sheridan shifted inside and given his head. Cue the wonder goal.

Declan Geoghegan, outstanding all through, won the ball for Tilson to find Step hen Geoghegan and he to find O'Rourke before the ball was threaded through to Sheridan. A featherweight touch, a turn, a feint to shoot, a swivel inside, a helpful flick by Gormley and cue a dipping lob with pace; Byrne was groping and half the estimated 16,000 crowd was erupting.