CILLIAN SHERIDAN WILL be the sole Irish representative in this season’s Champions League proper.
The 25-year-old Cavan native, capped three times for Ireland but yet to be named in a squad by Martin O’Neill, scored the fourth goal for Cypriot champions APOEL as they saw off Aalborg BK 4-0 (5-1 on aggregate) to progress to tomorrow’s draw for the group stages, where Europe’s top sides await.
Sheridan’s former club Celtic, who have Ireland’s Anthony Stokes in their ranks, failed to get past Maribor meaning he will fly the flag in the continent’s elite club competition.
“I certainly wasn’t expecting us to win 4-0 against such a good side,” Sheridan told UEFA.com. “We were confident of getting the win but this was a thoroughly great performance.
“It does make me feel lonely that I am the only Irishman in the Champions League but it is also a good thing.
“It was a shame Celtic did not go through. My final game for Celtic was a defeat by Aalborg in Europe, so it was a case of revenge tonight for me.”
