Sullivan delighted to be a Red

It hasn’t been the easiest season for Shelbourne midfielder John Sullivan. The Dublin native only managed to establish himself in Alan Mathew’s starting XI in the last few games of the season, but is, as ever, grateful to be part of the Shelbourne setup.

Sullivan is extremely blunt in his belief where Shelbourne belong. “A massive club like Shels should never be in the First Division. Everything about the club is Premier material; the board, backroom staff, players, right down to the fans. It was only few years ago they were representing the country playing Deportivo in the Champions League. Hopefully another few years or less and the club is in a similar position.

After being dubbed “the Cup expert”, Alan Mathews has proven his guile in the league also. Shelbourne kept the most clean sheets, the most wins and the best away record. Sullivan highlights the importance of the role his manager has played. “Alan is a great manager who knows Irish football inside out, has won medals playing and managing and he deserves a lot of credit for us being promoted.  We have a big squad of great players and there’s no difference between the lads in the starting XI than the lads on the bench, but he's kept us all thinking positive throughout the season which can be hard for managers to do.”

The strength in depth was blatantly obvious throughout the year. The most important aspect of this was the fact that Shels could call on players of genuine quality when any of their starting line-up was unavailable. Sullivan agreed. “Our squad is great squad, you could take anyone in or out of the starting XI and there wouldn't be a difference in how we play or go about or job on the pitch. In training it’s great because everyone’s on their toes wanting to impress constantly because the lads either side of you are just as good as you and are hungry to play.”

The bigger games have been where Shels have excelled this year. Wins away to Limerick, Monaghan and Waterford were crucial to the success the Reds have had, but Sullivan is quick to point out that the so-called “smaller games” were also worth three points, and should not be forgotten. “Yeah beating Limerick and Monaghan were great wins for us, but the games people don’t remember as much are going to the likes of Mervue, Salthill and Finn Harps away. Winning there is just as good as beating any top side in the league, not many teams go those places and turn those three over.

Shelbourne’s fanbase may be small, but it’s certainly well structured. Groups such as the SSDG and the Briogáid Dearg keep the club ticking over with donations throughout the season, and Sullivan acknowledges the effort those involved make to keep the players enjoying their time at the club. “The fans are always there for us, home and away. They really are our twelfth man. Please God we attract more fans to watch us in the final and for next year in the premier.”

When asked who he believed the Shelbourne Player of the Year was, Sullivan was stuck to find an answer. “I probably couldn't answer that. Everyone has done their part this season at some stage. I know people will say Casso, Conan or Phily because they've scored so much for us, but you have got to look at the lads who do the unnoticed work too. Honestly I couldn't pick just one.”

Having only starting a handful of league games, John is not guaranteed a contract at the club next year; unfortunately for him. When asked if he believed he would be at the club next year, Sullivan wasn’t overly optimistic. “Nobody knows where they will be next year, that's up to Alan. I'd love to be at Shelbourne next year; it’s a great club with tremendous people in it. I thoroughly enjoyed this season working under Alan and the coaching staff and playing with great players. Every training session or game you learn something new from them. "Every day is a school day". The club has big hopes and dreams which I’d love to be a part of.”

The young midfielder was of the belief that Monaghan United deserved Premier League football a lot more than their playoff opponents. “Unfortunately for me when we played Monaghan the three times, I never got to take part but I watched all three games and I think they do deserve to be up there. They are a good team and the fact Galway had their chance, and in my opinion, don’t deserve to be there at all with the losses they've had this season. They've just been that easy three point team really.”

Sullivan had time at Hamilton Academical as a young lad, and even played in Celtic Park against the Bhoys in the SPL. He remains optimistic as to Shels’ chances of actually being a solid side in the Premier Division next year. When asked if he thought Shels could find themselves in the upper realms of the Premier Division this time next year, he believed in the club. “Yeah of course, why can’t we? Derry City got promoted last year and they are up around the top of the league as did Sporting Fingal  the year after they got promoted. Shelbourne are on the rise, with the squad we have and the coaching staff we have anything is possible for us. We played top Premier Division teams so far this season in cup games and did very well so I wouldn't write us off. Only time will tell.”

On losing the title to Cork, Sullivan admitted that obviously the club was devastated, but reminds the fans and everyone looking at the league table, that the overall goal of the Football Club was reached. “To lose on the last day of the season is devastating. It was a great game by both teams, it was literally a last minute goal by them but I suppose you need luck in football. We will not dwell on it, we are promoted which is what we wanted from day one. We’ve got a cup final to look forward to this week.”

On a slightly more modest note, Sullivan showed signs of remorse for his old side Limerick, after they had lost out Saturday night by a single point. Unfortunately for Limerick they got a lot of injures this season which didn’t help them at all. I’ve got some great friends in the club too and I would like to see them in the premier division, hopefully in 2013. They also are a club with big ambitions just like us. The top four teams in the First Division should be in the Premier next season, we’re all good enough and financially stable enough for the league.”