Cillian Sheridan (F Inverness Caledonian Thistle b.1989)

[DeLorean]

It'll be a crime to ignore him any further. You'd think he'd appeal to MON no end.

[Closed Account]

Used all 6'5'' too:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5kbtll_sheridan-c-goal-jagiellonia-1-0-pogon-szczecin_sport

[samhaydenjr]

Where did 6 ft. 5 come from?


Mainly my posts it seems. I am fairly confident I didn't make it up but I'm becoming less sure.

Don't blame yourself, CD - it's on his Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cillian_Sheridan


It'll be a crime to ignore him any further. You'd think he'd appeal to MON no end.

I think that's overstating it a bit for two reasons: firstly this could be just a streak - we've seen it before with the likes of Joe Mason, Eoin Doyle and Aiden O'Brien where they go on a short goalscoring run and people start clamouring online for a call-up only for the goals to dry up or for them to fail to make the jump to a higher level, which leads me to my second reason: the level he's playing at. He got his career going in the Cypriot League, which is probably well below the level we would like our international players to be playing at. Now the move to the Polish League is certainly a jump in quality but is it enough to put him on a par with our current squad? Admittedly it's a little difficult to compare with The Championship or the SPL (where Sheridan's competition for a place would come from). The best way is probably look at the level his teammates and others in the league are at vis a vis international recognition, particularly as we would probably consider Poland to be roughly at the same level as us or at a level we could reasonably aspire to. Jagiellonia Białystok have one full Polish international in their squad, with one cap under his belt, one player with four caps for Ukraine and three players with extensive international experience for Baltic nations. Looking at the league more widely, the last Polish international squad featured seven players from the Ekstraklasa - so while it does appear that the best Polish players do indeed go abroad, the domestic league is of a high enough quality to justify international selection. So he's definitely worth keeping in mind but for now, I would still say that our two current Premier League strikers (Long and Walters) along with our future Premier League Striker (Murphy) and our experienced goalscorer (Doyle) would be our main forward options. I would still consider McGoldrick to have an edge based on his Championship record and the fact that he has played recently for us and think he should be the priority if we're looking to put in someone new in the Autumn qualifiers. That said, if Sheridan keeps scoring in Poland he should definitely be in the frame for the start of the Euro 2020 qualifiers and I wouldn't be opposed to him getting a run-out against Mexico just to see if he does add something to the squad.

[Olé Olé]

Have to agree with the context that Sam has put it into there. I might use another angle on it. Top 5 goalscorers in the league have a goal per game ratio in and around a goal every second game, which is what Sheridan has (granted over a shorter period of games):
Marcin Robak- veteran Polish striker with 9 caps, most of which appear to have come when he was playing in Turkey.
Nemanja Nikolic- 23 Hungary caps (has since moved to Chicago Fire).
Konstantin Vassiljev- veteran Estonian midfielder with 95 caps and is Sheridan's teammate.
Fedor Cernych- Lithuanian teammate of Sheridan's. Regular for them.
Marco Paixao- Portuguese journeyman with no caps.

To conclude, it appears that nations like Hungary, Estonia and Lithuania do pick players in this league. I would argue these countries are a tier or more below us. Sheridan merits consideration but hard to know if he will make an impact. No harm trying to find out in a summer friendly though.

Given that neither Sheridan nor Maguire (not immediately anyway) are likely to leapfrog our established trio of Walters, Long and Murphy, I would be much more disposed to Maguire being given a run for a few reasons.

[SkStu]

I don't think Del has said anything other than what you are saying lads. He needs to be called up for a look and some playing time. He'd bring us something a little different and, dare I say, more suited to our direct approach. Definitely needs to be looked at in the coming friendlies.

[CraftyToePoke]

He should be called up & made captain immediately. Get it done.

[Charlie Darwin]

Seanfhear raises a valid point that he has a man bun and therefore should not be allowed access to nice things.

[DannyInvincible]

I don't think Del has said anything other than what you are saying lads. He needs to be called up for a look and some playing time. He'd bring us something a little different and, dare I say, more suited to our direct approach. Definitely needs to be looked at in the coming friendlies.

Agreed. If Adam Rooney is consistently making (provisional) squads, Sheridan (who is playing at a higher level (http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/country/)) is at the very least equally deserving of consideration.

[SkStu]

He should be called up & made captain immediately. Get it done.

Glad you said it. I was beating around the bush. :D

[Diggs246]

I think MON should go out to Poland and see him in the flesh and then make decision

[liamoo11]

I think MON should go out to Poland and see him in the flesh and then make decision

Ah Jesus thats all wrong!!he is a good looking man though😈

[DeLorean]

I think that's overstating it a bit for two reasons: firstly this could be just a streak - we've seen it before with the likes of Joe Mason, Eoin Doyle and Aiden O'Brien where they go on a short goalscoring run and people start clamouring online for a call-up only for the goals to dry up or for them to fail to make the jump to a higher level

I can only speak for myself but I never clamoured for any of those to be called up. I don't think any of their scoring streaks were as impressive as what Sheridan is doing at the moment.


which leads me to my second reason: the level he's playing at. He got his career going in the Cypriot League, which is probably well below the level we would like our international players to be playing at. Now the move to the Polish League is certainly a jump in quality but is it enough to put him on a par with our current squad?

On a par with Walters, Long or even Murphy? Probably not but it should be enough to merit an opportunity I think. On a par with the likes of Kevin Doyle (at this stage) or Adam Rooney? I would think so, yes.


Admittedly it's a little difficult to compare with The Championship or the SPL (where Sheridan's competition for a place would come from). The best way is probably look at the level his teammates and others in the league are at vis a vis international recognition, particularly as we would probably consider Poland to be roughly at the same level as us or at a level we could reasonably aspire to. Jagiellonia Białystok have one full Polish international in their squad, with one cap under his belt, one player with four caps for Ukraine and three players with extensive international experience for Baltic nations. Looking at the league more widely, the last Polish international squad featured seven players from the Ekstraklasa - so while it does appear that the best Polish players do indeed go abroad, the domestic league is of a high enough quality to justify international selection. So he's definitely worth keeping in mind but for now, I would still say that our two current Premier League strikers (Long and Walters) along with our future Premier League Striker (Murphy) and our experienced goalscorer (Doyle) would be our main forward options. I would still consider McGoldrick to have an edge based on his Championship record and the fact that he has played recently for us and think he should be the priority if we're looking to put in someone new in the Autumn qualifiers. That said, if Sheridan keeps scoring in Poland he should definitely be in the frame for the start of the Euro 2020 qualifiers and I wouldn't be opposed to him getting a run-out against Mexico just to see if he does add something to the squad.

The main reasons I think it would make sense to give Sheridan a run out:

-All of our forwards who get game time are in their early to mid thirties and in and out of the starting XI's at their clubs (at best, bar Doyle).

- Sheridan isn't just scoring goals in the Polish league, he's scoring crucial goals for the best team in the league at this moment. I think that's far more impressive than scoring intermittently or even regularly at SPL, League 1 or even Championship level. Even if it is just a hot scoring streak, why not try and take advantage of it? I don't think it is anyway, he's just continued where he left off in Cyprus, where he was playing for decent teams also, as proved by APOEL's Champions League forays.

-He's 28... if we're going to make use of him, it really needs to happen soon.

-He's a proper number nine, which is what we're lacking. His strengths should suit our style of play if he can make the step up. I don't see McGoldrick as an out and out striker and we have a reasonable idea of what he can and can't bring if needed at this stage.


I don't really think comparisons with Poland, etc. are useful, although I did find the information you provided interesting. For us, it's a case of needs must. Poland are lucky enough to have players like Lewandowski and Milik in their ranks, forward options we could only dream about. If they didn't have these kind of options I'm sure a player scoring regularly for the best club in their league might get an opportunity.

[DannyInvincible]

Martin O'Neill is at least aware of Sheridan's current form: http://www.the42.ie/martin-oneill-ireland-sean-maguire-cillian-sheridan-3374703-May2017/


imilarly, Cillian Sheridan has scored five goals and created three assists in his first eight matches for Polish league leaders Jagiellonia Białystok. Asked if he has been keeping a close eye on the Cavan man, O’Neill replied:

“Absolutely, very much so. I’ve haven’t been able to get out to watch him live but I’ve had the games and he has made a bit of an impact, which is always encouraging.”

[DeLorean]

They only drew yesterday evening, 1-1 away to Korona Kielce and Sheridan didn't score. They will be knocked off top spot on GD if Lech Poznan win tomorrow.

[DannyInvincible]

Lech Poznan beat Nieciecza 3-0 today which puts them top of the league on goal difference.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/poguemahone85/Capture_zpseuxrdmum.png

[DeLorean]

Jagiellonia host Lech Poznan on the final day, could be a big one. They also have Legia Warsaw at home so hopefully that can swing things in their favour.

[DannyInvincible]

Jagiellonia take on fifth-placed Wisła Kraków tomorrow afternoon at home, so they can pull ahead again for 24 hours at least as Lech Poznan play Pogoń at home on Sunday.

[DannyInvincible]

'Cillian Sheridan on his blistering start to life in Poland and aspirations to earn an Ireland recall': http://www.the42.ie/cillian-sheridan-ireland-jagiellonia-bialystok-2-3386796-May2017/


“I’ve had a good six weeks in terms of goals and assists,” Sheridan tells The42. “We haven’t lost since I’ve arrived and we’ve been able to stay top of the table, which has been the most most important thing.

“From a personal point of view, I had played two games without scoring but didn’t think I was struggling because I was actually pleased with how I was playing.

“I was contributing a lot in the games and was pretty happy with how I was doing. I just didn’t have a goal to go along with it. So when the goals came, everyone relaxed. I’m sure the club would’ve had a sigh of relief as well. It was nice to get that over and done with.”

[liamoo11]

When is polish season over lads? Will he be available for Mexico game?

[pineapple stu]

Scores again today.

(Bad news for UCD, who would rather Legia or Lech win the league though!)

[DannyInvincible]

Stream here of game against Wisła: http://live.robinwidget.org/streamvideo8/jagiellonia-vs-wisla-live-stream-714744.html

Half-time at the minute with Jagiellonia leading 1-0.

[DannyInvincible]

When is polish season over lads? Will he be available for Mexico game?

Sheridan's remaining fixtures this season:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/poguemahone85/Capture_zpsieknlf7w.png

We have Mexico on the 2nd of June and Uruguay on the 4th, so I can't imagine he'd be available for either considering Jagiellonia are also scheduled to play their main challengers for the title on the 4th.

[DannyInvincible]

Jagiellonia won 2-0 and are back ahead of Lech Poznan by three points. Lech Poznan's game in hand is tomorrow.

[DannyInvincible]

Lech Poznań are 2-0 up against Pogoń with 15 minutes left: http://live.robinwidget.org/streamvideo8/lech-poznan-vs-pogon-szczecin-live-stream-817105.html

It looks like they'll return to the top of the league (ahead of Jagiellonia on goal difference) as I don't see them throwing away this lead, from what I've seen. They've been pretty dominant so far with Pogoń being limited to the odd half-chance here and there.

Fourth-placed Lechia Gdańsk are being held 0-0 at home to Korona. A draw would leave them third but three points behind both Lech Poznań and Jagiellonia.

Legia Warsaw, who are currently in third position, play later this evening against Nieciecza but even a win would still leave them a point behind the joint leaders.

Edit: Full time in both games; Lech Poznań win 2-0 whilst Lechia draw 0-0.

[liamoo11]

Sheridan's remaining fixtures this season:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/poguemahone85/Capture_zpsieknlf7w.png

We have Mexico on the 2nd of June and Uruguay on the 4th, so I can't imagine he'd be available for either considering Jagiellonia are also scheduled to play their main challengers for the title on the 4th.

That's a pity makes it less likely he will be on bench against Austria I'd say or at least less likely to come off bench if we need a goal.

[DannyInvincible]

Just having a read of this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Ekstraklasa#League_table_2) and it seems that goal difference isn't actually the main method of differentiating between teams on equal points at this stage.


Rules for classification:

1) Points;
2) Points in regular season;
3) Head-to-head points in regular season;
4) Head-to-head goal difference in regular season;
5) Head-to-head goals scored in regular season;
6) Head-to-head away goals scored in regular season (if only two teams);
7) Goal difference;
8) Goals scored;
9) Fairplay ranking;
10) Play-off (only if needed to decide champion, teams for relegation or teams for UEFA competitions).

That means that Jagiellonia will actually finish top in the event of finishing the championship play-off round on the same number of points as another team (provided no other team has a superior points tally obviously) as Jagiellonia were the team with the most points (59) at the end of the "regular" season (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Ekstraklasa#League_table). Jagiellonia are top as things stand then, contrary to what I thought/said earlier.

[DeLorean]

That means that Jagiellonia will actually finish top in the event of finishing the championship play-off round on the same number of points as another team (provided no other team has a superior points tally obviously) as Jagiellonia were the team with the most points (59) at the end of the "regular" season (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Ekstraklasa#League_table). Jagiellonia are top as things stand then, contrary to what I thought/said earlier.

That's useful to know and, unlike the LiveScore app (http://www.livescore.com/soccer/poland/ekstraklasa-final/), the table on the official Ekstraklasa website confirms what you're saying - http://www.ekstraklasa.org/rozgrywki

From the same website, Sheridan appears to have won the league's player of the month award for April - http://www.ekstraklasa.org/pilkarz-kwietnia-2017---cillian-sheridan


April is one of the most important months of the season LOTTO Ekstraklasa. The last round of a simple headline, split into two groups and the beginning of the last stage of the fight for the championship. Throughout this time she looked at Jagiellonia Bialystok rivals from the top of the table, and a large merit of the Irish striker Cillian Sheridan.

Brought winter sniper had already settled for good in the team from Bialystok and today's hard to imagine a team without Michała Probierza bearded Sheridan. His five goals in the April Yaga matches allowed to keep the leader's seat table, and the player himself has brought the title of best player in the league LOTTO April. Congratulations!

http://www.ekstraklasa.org/data/stories/images/sheridan.png

[seanfhear]

That's useful to know and, unlike the LiveScore app (http://www.livescore.com/soccer/poland/ekstraklasa-final/), the table on the official Ekstraklasa website confirms what you're saying - http://www.ekstraklasa.org/rozgrywki

From the same website, Sheridan appears to have won the league's player of the month award for April - http://www.ekstraklasa.org/pilkarz-kwietnia-2017---cillian-sheridan



http://www.ekstraklasa.org/data/stories/images/sheridan.png
Are we completely sure he is not some sort of Celtic High Chief.........Viking God or something......

[DannyInvincible]

Both goals from Jagiellonia's 2-0 win yesterday:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpzDRzqy5jE

As well as scoring the first, Sheridan was also involved in the build-up for the second.

[DannyInvincible]

That's useful to know and, unlike the LiveScore app (http://www.livescore.com/soccer/poland/ekstraklasa-final/), the table on the official Ekstraklasa website confirms what you're saying - http://www.ekstraklasa.org/rozgrywki

Aye, I'd been taking my lead from LiveScore, which has Lech Poznan ahead, but it's clearly wrong.

[DannyInvincible]

Jagiellonia have an opportunity to pull further ahead later this evening if they can beat Lechia Gdańsk away from home and Legia and Lech Poznan take points off one another.

Today's fixtures:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/poguemahone85/Capture_zps5kwquqfk.png

Current standings:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/poguemahone85/Capture_zpsnqef7w85.png

[DannyInvincible]

Lechia-Jagiellonia about to kick off. Stream here: http://live.robinwidget.org/streamvideo8/lech-poznan-vs-pogon-szczecin-live-stream-817105.html

[DannyInvincible]

Ten minutes in and I'm not sure how Jagellonia haven't scored yet. They're playing quick and fluid attacking football, in spite of being the away team, and have had quite a few chances/corners. Exciting game so far.

[DannyInvincible]

Jagiellonia defender gives away a penalty as his really sloppy attempt to swing at and clear a loose ball trips up the Lechia attacker. Paixão converts the spot-kick to put Lechia 1-0 ahead. Came against the run of play.

[DeLorean]

Way to jinx them Danny :)

[DannyInvincible]

Jaysis, another penalty. This one certainly wasn't as clear-cut - more a coming together of bodies - but Marco Paixão converts again to put Lechia 2-0 in front.

[DannyInvincible]

Marco Paixão got his hat-trick and put Lechia 3-0 ahead shortly after half-time. There's half an hour left now but it's hard to see Jagiellonia coming back from this. The result could dent a serious blow to their hopes of clinching the title.

[Closed Account]

At worst they'll be 3 points behind Lech Poznan by the end of the day but still have them to play, so at least it's still in there own hands.

Run in:
jag --- lech ---lechia --legia
37 -----37 ----- 37 ---39

LEGIA LECHIA- lech --- jag
term -WISLA - POGON -korona
LECH - jag ----legia ---LECHIA

Edit: legia beat lech. Jag can go top again by winning next game.

[DannyInvincible]

The Jagiellonia game eventually ended up 4-0 to Lechia earlier; a bad result for Jagiellonia that hopefully won't undermine team morale at the most crucial stage of the season.

Legia Warsaw, meanwhile, have just beaten Lech Poznań 2-0 a short while ago, so they leap-frog their three main rivals for the championship to go top - ahead of Jagiellonia in second position - by two points.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/poguemahone85/Capture_zpseidqzs4y.png

Jagiellonia still have to play Legia as well and it's at home in Białystok, so they still have a decent chance of overturning the two-point deficit. Lech Poznań will also provide stern opposition, but at least that game will be at home too.

The league's format undoubtedly creates a more exciting spectacle during the league's final run-in, which no doubt serves commercial interests and ensures greater supporter engagement right up until the final game of the season, but I can't say I agree with it as far as fairness and competitive integrity are concerned. The team who finish top of the regular season stage effectively suffer the greatest punishment when the clubs transition into the final play-off stage as each club have their points-tally halved and so the team at the top are inevitably the team with the most points deducted.

[DeLorean]

Definitely unfair but I suppose that's often the way with playoffs. It's less unfair than the playoffs in England for example, as at least they retain some bit of their advantage.

What a brilliant title race though, the 'big four' separated by two points and they all play each other again on Sunday. Some contrast to damp squib being served up by "the most exciting league in the world".

[Stuttgart88]

Yeah, when was the last time the League of Ireland went down to the last fixture or two?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Sheridan on squad exclusion.

http://www.the42.ie/cillian-sheridan-ireland-squad-poland-martin-oneill-3399562-May2017/

[DannyInvincible]

A 14-minute video interview with Sheridan here conducted by Paweł Wilkowicz (https://twitter.com/wilkowicz?lang=en) of Sport.pl:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxDzhMDh9nw

Sheridan says the Polish league is a lot more intense than Cyprus and he's had to up his fitness levels, despite already having been in pretty good shape when he arrived. He says the style of play there tends to be fast-paced and "up-and-down", which he claims is similar to Scotland, although the standard is higher in Poland.

He also talks about going against the grain. He does yoga to improve his flexibility and to prevent injuries and future aches/pains. He has used a sports psychologist to help fine-tune his performances and also loosely follows a vegan diet (although he doesn't get too hung up on the terminology as he still wears leather and might eat the odd Haribo or something like that) which he maintains has significantly enhanced his energy levels.

He puts his lack of international opportunities down to being out of the spotlight, having moved to CSKA Sofia the day after his last appearance for Ireland (against Argentina in 2010).

It's a pity Sheridan has potentially the most crucial game of his season clashing with the Uruguay friendly on the 4th of June, but I get the impression from Martin O'Neill's words (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/martin-oneill-not-hopeful-of-scott-hogan-declaring-for-ireland-and-says-sean-maguire-and-cillian-sheridan-must-wait-35716214.html) that he may not have been selected in the provisional squad anyway even if he had been available for the friendlies.

[samhaydenjr]

A 14-minute video interview with Sheridan here conducted by Paweł Wilkowicz (https://twitter.com/wilkowicz?lang=en) of Sport.pl:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxDzhMDh9nw

Sheridan says the Polish league is a lot more intense than Cyprus and he's had to up his fitness levels, despite already having been in pretty good shape when he arrived. He says the style of play there tends to be fast-paced and "up-and-down", which he claims is similar to Scotland, although the standard is higher in Poland.

He also talks about going against the grain. He does yoga to improve his flexibility and to prevent injuries and future aches/pains. He has used a sports psychologist to help fine-tune his performances and also loosely follows a vegan diet (although he doesn't get too hung up on the terminology as he still wears leather and might eat the odd Haribo or something like that) which he maintains has significantly enhanced his energy levels.

He puts his lack of international opportunities down to being out of the spotlight, having moved to CSKA Sofia the day after his last appearance for Ireland (against Argentina in 2010).

It's a pity Sheridan has potentially the most crucial game of his season clashing with the Uruguay friendly on the 4th of June, but I get the impression from Martin O'Neill's words (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/martin-oneill-not-hopeful-of-scott-hogan-declaring-for-ireland-and-says-sean-maguire-and-cillian-sheridan-must-wait-35716214.html) that he may not have been selected in the provisional squad anyway even if he had been available for the friendlies.

Well that explains the man-bun and hipster beard

[DannyInvincible]

Huge game for Sheridan later on this evening (kick-off at 5PM) as Jagiellonia (currently on 37 points) take on league-leaders Legia Warsaw (currently on 39 points) in Białystok. A win for Jagiellonia would put them top again with two games to go. As far as the results of previous games between the clubs are concerned, Legia beat Jagiellonia 4-1 in Białystok last November whilst the sides drew 1-1 in Warsaw on the opening day of this season the previous July.

Lech Poznań and Lechia Gdańsk, who are also both on 37 points, play one another today as well. That match kicks off at 2:30.

[DannyInvincible]

Lech Poznań and Lechia Gdańsk are drawing 0-0 as the game approaches half-time. Stream here: http://live.robinwidget.org/streamvideo8/lech-poznan-vs-lechia-gdansk-live-stream-1442236.html

I imagine that would be the preferred result for Jagiellonia and their title ambitions as it would leave those two clubs two points off the pace if Jagiellonia can manage to beat Legia later.

[DannyInvincible]

Lech Poznań and Lechia Gdańsk finished 0-0.

Jagiallonia and Legia kicking off now at 5. Stream here: http://live.robinwidget.org/streamvideo8/jagiellonia-vs-legia-live-stream-1442308.html

[DannyInvincible]

0-0 at half-time.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/poguemahone85/Capture_zps8pfznqpb.png

Jagiellonia have created more despite enjoying less possession than Legia. They can definitely win this and reclaim the top spot. Legia haven't seriously threatened and Jagiellonia have defended well when necesssary; a big improvement on the sloppy/careless defending on show during the 4-0 loss to Lechia Gdańsk last Wednesday.

[DannyInvincible]

Aw, Sheridan has just had a goal disallowed for offside. He was offside, to be fair. 15 minutes left. Still 0-0.

[DannyInvincible]

Legia down to ten men. Jagiellonia putting them under pressure, but the game is into the 89th minute now.