Sheridan aiming to put Salthill on the map
The Galway city side are sometimes slammed for attracting players from outside their own catchment area. But given that Sheridan’s mother came from the seaside suburb, he has no regrets about his move from Balla in his native county a few years ago.
“I knew a few lads from college and I have always lived in the area, so the progression was natural enough. My own club was on the slide a bit. I just needed a change of scenery. I chose the area I was living in,” he explained.
While this club competition was pioneered in Galway, clubs from the county had a poor record until Corofin broke through to win the All-Ireland in 1998.
Recognising that Salthill ‘are up against it’ tomorrow in Pearse Park, Sheridan says it’s generally acknowledged that football in Galway city isn’t strong. “It’s more a hurling city, a rugby city, a soccer city - in that order. Gaelic football is the poor relation.”
“But in fairness, Salthill is keeping it going in regard to under-age (with former great Liam Sammon active at this level). The club was only founded in the early seventies so it’s a young club. We won just one county title before this year. That was back in 1990 and they reached the All-Ireland club final the following year (beating Dr Crokes from Killarney before going under to Derry side Lavey).
“It’s a struggle, but at the same time the input is there from the club members. Salthill-Knocknacarra is not an amalgamation as such - just that it extended a few years ago, because of the estates sprawling out.”
Michael Donnellan joined the club last year to much media attention. According to Sheridan, the Galway star’s influence has been ‘absolutely massive.’
“He’s a superb player and his attitude is 100% as regards training and application, everything. He’s a model athlete.”
Dual star Alan Kerins is also involved, along with young sensation Sean Armstrong and Gordon Morley, another Mayo player. Cian Begley (a cousin of Limerick hurler Brian Begley), whose father Michael played with Mayo and Clare, is also in the squad
Central to his own continued participation is his day job as a teacher. Sheridan points out that the commitment to a club team is comparable to most intercounty set ups. “Back when I started, all we were doing was laps and that sort of stuff. Now, you work on the ball and you work with the muscles you use on the pitch. Because of my job, I have a small bit more time than the rest. We train on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and we’d have a game on Sunday. Other than that, you’re either in the gym or you’re out hitting frees on the Monday and Wednesday. You could be at it every day. With injuries and rehab, it’s time consuming.”
His depiction of the campaign is a series of ‘hard games’ starting back in the very first round of the county championship - when they defeated Corofin. They took two more big scalps in the form of 2004 All-Ireland champions Caltra in the semi-final and the 2001 champions Crossmolina in the Connacht semi-final.
Said Sheridan: “We had no easy games at all. We went over to London and we almost got beaten by Tir Chonaill Gaels. It’s been a hard slog, but we’re here.”
And what of Kilmacud Crokes? “They’re an efficient outfit and their approach is simple,” continues Sheridan. “They have the big guys up the centre, with the two Magees in the middle of the field, and they let the ball in early to Mark Vaughan. I would like to think we play the same type of game ourselves. We have Sean Armstrong in the full-forward line and he’s a fantastic player as well.
“We’ve done a small bit of homework, but it’s all about yourself on the day. If the mindset is right and if the hunger is there - that’s what it’s all about. It’s not about Kilmacud. It’s about us.
“We’re on the road for over 13 months. We lost the county final in 2004 and reached the League final the same year. It’s the same bunch of players who have been there. It’s continuous and it’s hard, but on the flip side you are in an All-Ireland semi-final. And it’s a huge honour for a player to be involved at this stage.”
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