Clean sheets and confidence: Corey Sheridan stakes his claim

Now that he has a taste of first team action, Corey Sheridan wants to stay in the Finn Harps team.

Sheridan kept two clean sheets in four days as Harps defeated First Division leaders Dundalk on Monday after a scoreless draw with Athlone on Friday.

Before he started in Lissywollen last Friday, Sheridan had never played a minute in the first team.

The just-turned 17-year-old showed his promise on Monday with some superb saves to keep rampant Dundalk at bay.

Sheridan saved brilliantly from Dean Ebbe deep into added time at the end after a stunning stop to deny Eoin Kenny, tipping a powerful effort onto the crossbar and helping to secure Harps’ first win in 10.

“I was delighted with those saves,” he tells Donegal Live. As long as they stay out of the net, it doesn’t matter. 

“I was busy, but everyone in front of me put in a great shift. I couldn’t have done it without them.

“I had a lot of time to see the second one. It felt comfortable. The first one, Kenny hit it and I tipped it onto the bar; I was delighted with that one.

“I didn’t expect to start again but I’m delighted. Credit to Kevin (McHugh) for having that confidence in me. 

“It was great to get to play at Finn Park. The atmosphere was class.”

Sheridan was first drafted to Harps at U14 level by then manager Conrad Clarke in 2022.

Until last summer he was playing Gaelic football and hurling for Aodh Ruadh and even made it to the Ulster U16 hurling squad.

His father, Paul, hails from Mullahoran in County Cavan and played senior hurling with his native county and Donegal. In 2014, he was named on the Nicky Rickard Cup Team of the Year having switched in 2010 to don the colours of his adopted county, where he moved with his wife, Mary, a native of Belfast.

The young ’keeper played an assessment game with the FAI Schools team in January before being called up to the Northern Ireland U17s in March for European qualifiers. The NI side is managed by former Linfield star Andy Waterworth - “a great manager too,” says Sheridan.

If some recent absentees due to Leaving Certificate exams was an indicator of just how young the Harps side is, then look at Sheridan and team-mate Gavin McAteer, who have just completed transition year at Coláiste Cholmcille and Loreto Milford.

Sheridan says :“It’s great to see all the young lads get a chance. I played with Gavin at under-14, under-15 and under-17. He’s quality. He’s a great player.

“Kevin, Tommy (Canning) and Eamon (Curry) are great with all of us young lads.”

With Oisin Cooney absent last Friday due to exam commitments, Sheridan was elevated to start for the first time.

On Thursday night, the youngster learned that he was being promoted. 

“I wasn’t expecting it all week,” he says. I was nervous against Athlone but I settled down after the first kick out and settled into the game so I was grand then.

“I was relieved when the final whistle went. I was delighted with myself. 

“I’ve enjoyed it. I wasn’t expecting to get in this early at all. You have to take your chance when you get it and I feel like I have done that.”

Read next: Kevin McHugh: 'There were enough who believed - and that got us over the line'

With Cooney and Shane O’Gara also vying to start between the sticks, Sheridan knows he can’t get too comfortable.

However, he makes no secret of his desire to stay in.

He says: “We’re all pushing on. We’re pushing each other on every week. I think we’re all getting better and that’s what you want.

“I’m looking to stay in, but the lads will be pushing hard.”