Another Sheridan hoping to make his mark on county team

Last Sunday Brian Sheridan had geared himself up for playing for Meath against UCD in the O'Byrne Cup only for the game to be called off because of the Arctic weather - and nobody was as disappointed as the young Seneschalstown player. He can hardly wait for the NFL to start and the Gaelic football season to get into full swing in earnest again and work on his ambition of nailing down a permanent place on the Meath senior football team. He knows it won't be easy but if he avoids the kind of pitfalls that hampered him last season he should be a strong contender to feature in Meath's NFL Div 2 and championship plans. Sheridan, who is Joe's younger brother, has been long heralded as one of Meath's most promising young players and at just 21 he is still at the foothills of his inter-county career. So far it has been a stop-start career on the senior inter-county front with a pulled hamstring picked up in a league game against Laois last spring forcing him to miss out a crucial part of the year. Now he wants to focus big time on being part of the new Seamus McEnaney's era. Brian Sheridan was one of those who participated in the 'Battle of the Royals' boxing competition at the Knightsbrook Hotel recently. He had the nickname of 'The Brawler' and even though he lost his bout he enjoyed everything about the night. He feels the experience did him a lot of good, strengthening him physically and mentally, “I loved the boxing, even though I was beaten, it was a totally different type of training. We're all used to been part of a team and to have to go out on your own it can be pretty nerve wrecking, it was a totally different experience. I was delighted to take part in it. I think most of the lads were the same, they absolutely loved it. It was great for everyone who were involved. I think it has really brought the players on.†After enduring the arduous training required for the exhibition Sheridan says he now has a “lot of respect†for boxers. He never had imagined that those who follow that sport had to go through such conditioning before they could enter the ring. “As regards team bonding it was very good, it got all the lads together, there are a few new lads on the panel and this was a great way for everyone to get to know each other.†Two years ago it looked like Sheridan was about to make his mark as an inter-county player when he came on as a substitute against Dublin in the Leinster SFC. He looked poised to established himself on the big stage, then he got diverted. Sheridan's experiences over the last few years rubbishes the GAA's stated aim that they want to protect young talented players from burnout. For the latter half of 2009 and the early months of 2010 he was involved in a whirlwind of games with Seneschalstown, DCU and Meath u-21 and seniors. He helped DCU to win the Sigerson Cup last spring winning the 'man-of-the-match' award for his efforts in the final against UCC. Then he was called into the Meath panel for the NFL campaign coming on as a substitute for Stephen Bray in the opening game against Armagh. He also came on for brother Joe in the win over Laois at Pairc Tailteann and pulled a hamstring. When he struggled to regain his fitness he decided to take a break from the inter-county scene and try and get himself right. It all meant he missed out on Meath's march to a Leinster SFC title. He was among the spectators at Croke Park who looked on in astonishment as the last few seconds of the Leinster final against Louth was played out in dramatic circumstances. Just after Joe scored THAT goal and the final whistle blew Brian was among the first onto the field to congratulate the winners while all around him mayhem erupted. Now Brian has left DCU and will not be eligible for the u-21s this year, leaving him more time to focus on developing his senior career. Currently looking at either finding employment or going back to college to do another course, Sheridan will have the time to get his fitness right and hope to be included in McEnaney's panel for the NFL Div 2 campaign. “I know myself what I have to do, work hard in training, get a few good performances behind me and hopefully that will be enough to get on the panel.†Sheridan is looking forward to what the new year brings under the new manager. He intends to keep his head down, work hard and see what happens. He'll also be hoping for no more postponements.