'Winning is a habit' - Sheridan

Interview

Aideen Coyle

There is a sense of excitement building around Cavan once again as the Cavan ladies prepare for their second final of the season. Vice-captain of the team and former Collingwood star Aishling Sheridan is looking forward to the game and the week leading up to it.

“Yeah, it’s really exciting, and I think even seeing the men’s Ulster final on there yesterday and the Leinster final on today just shows the significance of getting to your provincial final and how exciting it can be. So yeah, definitely an exciting week ahead.”

Sheridan has been a member of the panel since 2013 but surprisingly has yet to enjoy success in Ulster at senior level despite many underage crowns.

“It’s crazy when you reflect back on how long you’ve been playing and probably have had no silverware alongside that. I was lucky and fortunate in my first year on the senior panel - that was the year we won the intermediate, 2013. In saying that, I was so young, I was 16 or 17, and had phenomenal players around me.

“As you get older, it becomes more real because it’s the one age group. Back then, I was balancing minor and senior at the time, so I probably was more focused on minor at that stage. But now that this is my only age group, it is crazy when you look back. We’ve seen so much success with the underage in Cavan, it’s so phenomenal. Even seeing it in the club groups and stuff, it’s amazing to see the talent coming through. But you’re kind of hoping now that eventually that will carry up to the senior panel.”

On April 13, Cavan supporters witnessed the turning of the tide as Shauna Lynch lifted the NFL Division 3 crown after a 2-10 to 0-9 win over Wexford, ending the silverware drought dating back to 2013. The Mullahoran native is optimistic that this is the start of something special for the Breffni county.

“It’s been massive. You often hear people saying winning is a habit, and I feel like we obviously hadn’t that habit with Cavan in the last few years. We went into games and probably didn’t back ourselves that we were going to win. But I think this year, with everyone, we have the same end goal. It’s just been such a really positive environment and such a good environment to be around and to train in.”

Cavan underage have been a rising force across the country in recent years, and Sheridan heaps praise on the youngsters within the squad. “It does take players a few years to find their feet; it was the same with me. It takes time to grow your confidence and become a senior player, but in saying that, seeing some of the girls we’ve had come in - they’ve just taken to it straight away.

“Just having the likes of the younger girls coming through is brilliant. Three of the girls are doing the Leaving Cert - Sinéad Kelly, Ellie Brady, and Sarah Clarke - and seeing how they are balancing it all has been massive and amazing. Hopefully, in the next few years, that will keep flourishing.

“It has definitely been brilliant having them girls coming through because, as I said, winning is a habit, and they’re used to that habit!”

The 28-year-old forward has been enjoying her time back in the blue and white jersey, particularly as her side prepares for Sunday. “The mood has actually been really good \[at training], and it’s been so positive as it has been all year! We like to just focus on ourselves. Everyone is training well, and we’ve been very fortunate the bodies kept well and stuff. We had a good week of training behind us this week, and everything’s been really good.”

“We had a tough few weeks of hard training leading up to the Ulster semi against Monaghan. It’s been really good and definitely a really positive environment. There is so much competition — it’s been brilliant as well because it pushes you on as a player. You want to do better every training session. You’re really pushing because there are so many places up for grabs.”

Reflecting on the semi-final victory over neighbours and rivals Monaghan, Sheridan is confident the character and resilience her side showed will stand to them going into the championship.

“One hundred percent! I think it was an 11-point turnaround, and on reflection, when we look at the first 20 minutes of the game, anyone that was there was probably like, ‘This isn’t the Cavan we’re used to seeing.’ I think we even felt that on the field ourselves, but look, I think we’ve learned so much from it.”

“As we got into the game, particularly the second half, we found our feet. Monaghan have been playing Division Two football against Galway and Cork, and maybe that was a factor - I’m not sure. I think we have taken so much from last week’s game. Not panicking and having faith that you can get across the line will 100% stand to us.”

The former AFLW star gives Sunday’s opposition, Down, the credit they deserve coming into the tie as the title holders. “Look, to be fair, we probably won’t take much from the time we played them in the league. Teams were only finding their feet, only back training a few weeks and stuff, so I don’t expect them to be anything like the team we played in the league.”

“I think even ourselves - we have developed so much since then. Down are fighting for an All-Ireland series, and I think they were in an All-Ireland semi-final last year, so again, they’re used to being in these high-pressure games. I do expect it to be a tough game, and I know Down have some very good players, so I don’t see it being an easy game at all. It will be a good battle,” added Sheridan.

3.30 pm on Sunday in Healy Park is the fixture, and Sheridan is confident a large travelling support will once again get behind the side.

“To be fair, the last few games we’ve had such phenomenal support and, even as a player who has been in the panel since I was 16, I’ve really noticed it this year. I think obviously when a team is winning and doing well, that probably helps. Hopefully, we can really rally up the troops and get a large support to Healy Park.

“I know it is clashing with the men, which is unfortunate, but we’ve had really good support throughout the year and hopefully that continues for Sunday,” she concluded.