AFL star Sheridan seeking to sink the Kingdom

LGFA news

By Kevin Óg Carney

In a year of flux, Aishling Sheridan’s grá for Gaelic football is a constant despite her dalliance in recent years with a uniquely Antipodean game.

Ahead of Cavan’s All-Ireland Senior Championship opener against Kerry this coming Sunday, the Australia-based professional sportsperson is itching to run out onto Birr’s famously well manicured pitch after the mother and father of unreal breaks.

“After so long not being able to play with Cavan ‘cause of Covid, it’s just great to be able to look forward to togging out for the county next weekend,” the tigerish inside forward enthuses.

“I suppose you don’t miss something ‘till it’s not around and it seems such a long time since Cavan had a competitive game. I’ve always missed the Gaelic when I’ve been in Australia and I’m really excited to be back training and playing with the county.”

Putting the county jersey back on for the first time since the virus guillotined the NFL last spring will be extra special for 24-year old Sheridan by dint of her employment.

For the last couple of years, the seasoned county campaigner has been plying her ball skills, on a full-time basis, for top flight Aussie Rules outfit Collingwood.

Ironically, the fact that intercounty action has been suspended since March ‘till now has given the Mullahoran ace time to play catch-up with her county colleagues.

“I’ve had seven months to get rid of any rustiness, in terms of my Gaelic (skills), that I might have picked up in Australia,” she confesses.

“It’s the same with Collingwood. If you feel you could do with some extra training you do it. And I’ve been doing extra work on my own, away from the club and county, to hone my football skills so I’d be happy enough with where I am at the minute.”

Where the pacy Sheridan will exactly be positioned come throw-in (1pm) this Sunday is still under wraps as we speak but local aficionados of ladies’ football hope that she is as close to the Kerry ‘keeper as possible. Doing damage at the business end of the pitch, after all, is her job . . . literally.

While Aussie Rules football is that bit tougher than Gaelic, she concludes, it has helped her become that bit fitter and more prepared, mentally and physically, for top notch ladies football.

“I play, as they call it in Australia, as a high forward which is like lining out in the full-forward line in Gaelic so winning the ball and getting the scores is what I’m normally asked to do there; the same as at home,” explains the daughter of former county star Gerry and Monica (neé O’Reilly) and sister of current county team-mates Mona and Geraldine.

“I was always strong enough for the (ladies) football but I think I’ve gotten stronger since I’ve been with Collingwood because of the full-time training and the need to constantly push yourself so, if anything, I think I can become a better ladies footballer now.”

This weekend, Collingwood’s 2019 Top First Year award winner will attempt to bring her A-game to the wide, open spaces of Offaly’s premier hurling pitch.

In truth, it is anticipated that the blues, collectively, will have to bring their A-game this Sunday to get the better of a what is expected to be a Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh-inspired Kingdom side.

“We always seem to be the underdogs going into big matches and it’s the same for the Kerry game,” Sheridan explains.

“When I was at college (DCU), it was the same. Cavan ladies’ teams, like the men, weren’t rated that highly so not being fancied to win this match or that match isn’t something new to us.

“Most people would look to Monaghan, Donegal or Tyrone in Ulster ladies football and it’s the same for the mens’ game and even though Kerry will be favourites next Sunday, we think we can cause a surprise.

“We have confidence in our own ability and we’re used to playing in Birr. We don’t fear Kerry. They’re a big name but our meetings over the last few years have always been close encounters and I can’t see it being any different this time around.”

And the fact that the game will be behind closed doors?

“I was used to that before I left Australia. We had a couple of games there before I arrived home in Ireland the day before the lockdown and it was a bit weird but we made a conscious effort to be louder on the pitch, create our own bit of atmosphere and be that bit more vocal with our team-mates.

“At the end of the day, you still have to be at your best to win the game irrespective of who’s watching you but it would be great if our supporters tuning into the live streaming of the game had reason to be happy with our performance in Birr and, of course, the result!”