Sheridan misses out on Champions League football

Rory Traynor

Cillian Sheridan's dreams of playing Champions League football were crushed when his new team Apoel Nicosia missed out on qualification on Tuesday night. 

Apoel came agonisingly close to qualification, losing out to Slovenian side, Maribor, on away goals in the third round. However, the Ireland international was not involved, after a suspension he picked up while playing in a Europa League Qualifier for his former side CSKA Sofia ruled him out.

As a result he watched his team go out from the stands having earlier tweeted that he was hoping for a 'good result'.

Lure

The lure of Champions League football had been one of the factors to persuade the Bailieborough striker to make the move east.
He has yet to make a competitive appearence for the Cypriot champions, who now enter a play-off for qualification to the Europa League.

Tomorrow's draw could see them face the likes of Tottenham Hotspur or former teammate Aidan McGeady’s Spartak Moscow. 

It’s almost five years since Sheridan played in the Champions League against English giants Manchester United.