Alone he stands, Sheridan awaits European fate

At just 25, Cavan native Cillian Sheridan is about to contest his third group stage of European competition, for three different clubs in three different countries.

It’s no wonder the nomadic APOEL Nicosia man saw the funny side of his feat in the aftermath of helping the Cypriots progress from the qualifying stage of the Uefa Champions League on Tuesday night.

“My gravestone will read ‘The Only Irishman left in the Champions League’,” he said yesterday.

His distinction may be an indictment on his Irish football contemporaries plying their trade in England and Scotland but Sheridan knows the stage that beckons for his latest of seven clubs provides him with a window in which to catch the eye of Martin O’Neill, just as Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualifiers begin bereft of proven goalscorers.

Sheridan’s sweet volley in the 4-0 win over Aalborg was his third goal in just four European games this season. It sealed a 5-1 aggregate victory over the Danes and secures APOEL a berth in today’s draw for the group stages of Europe’s foremost club tournament. The softly-spoken beanpole forward has been here before, of course. He was just 19 when pitted against then champions Manchester United for Celtic at Parkhead in 2008 and graced the same stage of the Europa League for his next permanent club, CSKA Sofia, two years later.

“It does make me feel lonely that I am the only Irishman in the Champions League but it is also a good thing,” said Sheridan.

“It was a shame Celtic did not go through. My final game for Celtic was a defeat by Aalborg in Europe, so it was a case of revenge for me.”

Sheridan’s thoughts for Celtic is unsurprising, given how grateful he is for them affording him a breakthrough in football. Before moving to Scotland as a 17-year-old, the Bailieborough man turned down the Cavan GAA minors and a contract in Australia with Brisbane Lions.

Now that he’s resurrected his career following a barren couple of years, his club strides could earn him an international recall to face Scotland in November against the manager who gave him his debut, Gordon Strachan.

Meanwhile, Burnley are confident of recruiting Ireland centre-back Richard Keogh before the transfer window closes on Monday after last night lodging a €1m bid for the Derby captain.