Sullivan delighted with Shels contract

Sometimes in football, a break arrives just when you need it. For John Sullivan, it was all about timing. Sitting on the bench can be quite frustrating, but when the opportunity arrives, you must jump at it; Sullivan did just this.
 

Following a few appearances in EA Sports Cup games, Alan Mathews began to take notice of Sullivan’s ability, granting him a starting place in the last few weeks of the season, and penultimately in the starting XI of the FAI Ford Cup final.
 

A season on, Sullivan looks forward to the coming year having secured a deal with the club for the 2012 Premier Division campaign.
 

Sullivan expressed his relief at having another year of employment. “Yes I’m extremely delighted to have signed another deal. This time of the season, players from all clubs don’t know what’s happening and it can be frustrating for the likes of myself.”
 

Changing club was never an option for John, nor apparently was a reunion with old club Limerick. “I opted for Shels because I enjoyed my time there last season and especially because I played the last run of games to the end of the season, as well as the final. The club is on the rise and I think as a player, you'd be crazy to say no to Shelbourne.”
 

Sullivan turned down offers from Drogheda and Monaghan to stay on at Tolka Park, with Limerick never even being an option for the young Dublin midfielder. “Limerick were never on the cards for me, I haven’t been in contact with anyone from the club. When the season ended, I knew exactly where I wanted to be next year without anyone influencing me to different destinations.”
 

Sullivan was quick to highlight the importance of the PFAI Norwegian trip to him in terms of development as a player. “The Norwegian trip for me was a great experience, especially training with such great players preparing me for what’s in store next season. I couldn’t pick names out if I wanted to, because in my opinion every player that was out there was excellent and I learned from all of them in different ways.”
 

When Sullivan was asked whether or not he felt he deserved a contract with Shels, he was modest in his approach. “I suppose you could argue for and against that question because I didn’t play the majority of the season, but I honestly think I do deserve a deal because I stuck it out even though I had more downs than ups and I took my chance when it came, which ended up with me playing the most important games of the season.”
 

The ex-Hamilton midfielder was quick to condemn the second tier of Irish football; denying any intention of returning there. “Premier football is where you want to be this season; every game in the Premier this season has the makings of a Cup final so I can’t see many people watching the First Division.”
 

John was very quick to extinguish any sense of over-optimism regarding Shels’ ambitions this year. “I think we can achieve anything we put our minds too, we will take every game as it comes and then see what happens.” In terms of personal targets though, Sullivan was slightly less uptight. “My personal goal this season is to get a place in the starting XI like every other player and after that who knows.”
 

Competition will be at a maximum for Sullivan this year with David Cassidy, Kevin Dawson, Barry Clancy and new signing Glen Cronin all competing for a place in the middle of the park, but John isn’t fazed by this.
 

“Having players like Kevin Dawson and Glen Cronin couldn't annoy me in anyway. We will all be fighting for the one thing to play and to win. I love competition I think it makes you a better player. I’ve played with Kevin last season and at Bohs under 20's. We have a great relationship on the pitch, but I’m looking forward to training with Glen because he's a great player, he's won medals and hopefully I can learn from him.”
 

Stay tuned to Extratime.ie for all the latest Shelbourne news over the coming weeks.