AT TIMES you'd wonder if Tony Sheridan is on the same planet but there's no doubting he plays on a different plane. Skill to burn he's one of those players who was blessed at birth. When Sheridan gets the ball the hum of expectation through the Shelbourne ranks is discernible.
So completes an overlong at times bumpy journey from seemingly uncontrollable individualist to team player cum match winner. With this metamorphosis Shelbourne have become serious contenders for league and cup. At times you'd wonder if it would ever happen and it's worth recalling that no one doubted it more than some of his new found adoring Shelbourne fans.
No one queried whether the 21 year old had talent. Sheridan had impressed anyone watching the draw between the Republic of Ireland youths and their Romanian counterparts in October 1992 at the RDS. Even the typically, technically adept Romanians looked second rate in his company as Sheridan drifted in from the inside right channel on his favoured left foot like a young Liam Brady. Maurice Setters went so far as to suggest that Sheridan could play in the 1994 World Cup finals. He could have too.
But, meantime, his Coventry career stagnated. He drifted on to Bolton and then home, seeking out Shelbourne last August. At first, many dismissed him as no more than a gifted misfit, and no one reduced Damien Richardson to fits of raging apoplexy more than Sheridan with his at times listless, laissez faire attitude and careless distribution.
However, not being wise after the event, even then you sensed he deserved a less judgmental verdict. Prodigal sons returning from England invariably struggle to adapt to their new surrounds.
There's the stigma of failure to contend with. Then there's the new part time environs, the new team mates, the new league and the new system. Now he is blossoming into the National League's supreme talent. It happens to the best of them, it even happened to Eddie Gormley, Drogheda misfit cum St Patrick's playmaker par excellence. At this rate, Sheridan will go all the way. No question.
Sheridan was first recommended to Damien Richardson by the latter's father when he was Gillingham manager over four years ago and he has watched Sheridan's career with interest before finally helping to mould it.
Tony's problem was that he didn't listen and learn. Because of his ability he was never forced to learn the basics. Young people are romantics who believe that ability will be enough. Tony fell victim to this romanticism. You know everything when you're young and you tend to disregard advice."
Even Richardson must have wondered whether he could get through to him. Last November, he even had to gamble on dropping Sheridan and seeing how he would respond. On his return, Sheridan scored a brilliantly taken winner in Derry and of late, against Rovers in the cup, away to Sligo in the league, and at Drogheda last Friday he was Man of the Match every time. Praise be, even his work rate impressed.
Like it or not, Shelbourne have almost come to depend on him. Aside from a left foot that can talk as well as cushion a ball to comatose stillness, what distinguishes him from the pack is that deceptively loping stride, shirt out, complete with his latest fashion accessory (tights, or last weekend red gloves) and a change of pace while running with the ball that makes him look like a convertible overtaking defenders who are being towed.
The talent is shining through and, more importantly, getting with the team. Himself and the brilliant Stephen Geoghegan (utterly wasted in Colin Murphy's long ball regime and rigidly orthodox 4-4-2), are developing an uncanny partnership, and tore Drogheda to shreds last Friday.
As someone who played in the League of Ireland in the late 60s and early 70s, and who is now managing here, I would estimate that Tony is one of the most skillful players ever to play League of Ireland football," estimates Richardson matter of factly. As regards say, Liam Brady, Tony is as good."
He's the only player I've seen who can pass the ball to himself," adds Richardson, explaining When Tony goes up with a defender he can flick the ball past him in such a way that he can go on and pick up the knock on passing the ball into the space that he will be first into it."
Tony didn't have Liam's advantage in terms of older brothers who were good pros. But his brother is a good influence and he's now learning the basics. League of Ireland football is good enough to teach him the basics. There are plenty of good, dedicated semi professionals and most importantly the football is much better. The game is changing to allow the Tony Sheridans, Eddie Gormleys and Jason Colwells to develop and express themselves. A few years ago, Tony would have had the legs kicked off him."
As Richardson is at pains to point out, it could be better still. Petty, bureaucratic self interest off the pitch is holding the game back. On it, so too is refereeing which sometimes still favours the hard man over the skillful.
Brendan Shorte will deal more strictly with tackles from behind in tomorrow night's Belgium Holland friendly than he did in the recent Cork St Patrick's league match, and will continue to do so until he and his colleagues are advised differently.
But as Richardson says Tony represents the future of the League of Ireland, even though I know he may be moving on within a year or two. He came back to learn the basics, here is a more mature young player, and I see this happening more and more."
Ultimately, Richardson envisages Sheridan moving into a central midfield, Continental type number 10 role, Ii Ia Brady. I want him to make up for lost time. I've been severe on him all times but my advice has been accepted even begrudgingly at times. He's now performing in a team framework. He has a great appreciation of the game and he'll be a good coach. Tony is conclusive proof that you don't have to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth to have class."
Until such time as he moves on again. Sheridan is the most natural heir apparent to the sadly departed Liam Coyle. A player worth the admission money a player worth getting excited about.
