Sheahan delighted with opening day win

Being on the sideline instead of in the matchday squad isn’t favourable for any footballer with even the slightest hint of ambition. However, a better overview of proceedings can be obtained and performances are more easily assessed from the stands. Limerick FC’s latest signing Garry Sheahan watched his side’s performance against Finn Harps and was happy with an opening day win.

“You couldn’t ask for much more. The opening night of the season is never easy, and all eyes are on us at the moment, so there's an added pressure to get the results. Things are never perfect coming out of pre-season, there's always some tweaking to be done. Based on last night’s performance there's probably less tweaking required than in previous years, so overall things are looking good.”

Sheahan won’t just walk into the starting XI however. Rory Gaffney netted on the night for the Blues while Denis Behan largely impressed. Sheahan realises he has quality competition. “Denis was excellent last night, his first touch, his link up play, his striking, he looks really sharp. Paudie played really well, his vision and execution for the goal were top quality, and Rory was excellent, he had an operation on his calves in the off season, so to come back and put in a shift like that is a credit to the lad.

"We have Derek O'Brien, Shane Tracey, myself and a few very talented young players pushing for places at the moment, each one of us offering a slightly different threat, so yeah, plenty of options for Pat when it comes to the attacking third.”

Prior to this season, Rory Gaffney had not scored for his club. As a striker, Garry is blissfully aware of the importance of getting that elusive first goal. “It's huge. Football is a confidence game, if you doubt your own ability for even a second you can find yourself in a difficult place. Watching Rory in pre-season, he has no reason to doubt any aspect of his game, he's firing in all cylinders and with that goal coming so early in the season, he could be a nightmare for most teams in this division.”

Limerick did not concede much around the danger areas all night. The concession of a freak goal gifted Finn Harps a way back into the game, but Sheahan is confident of his backline. “We have a great back four this season, Paddy and Guts look solid and Andrew and Shaun Kelly are looking really bright. We have plenty of options on the bench with all the lads training really well, so I think we should be fairly stingy this season when it comes to concession of goals.”

Limerick have adopted a shape which enables them to perform more fluidly rather than a rigid set of positions. What started as a 4-2-3-1 shape, was quickly changed to a simplified 4-4-2 to compliment the arrival of ex-Ireland international Dominic Foley. Sheahan agrees that Limerick’s shape is key to their success. “With the players we have at the club, the way we set up for games is ideal.

"We look comfortable, compact and we always look threatening going forward. But, like you said, with Dom coming in, we now have options, and different games may call for different approaches. Teams need to be able to adapt and we have worked with both formations in pre-season for that purpose.”

With a rather modest approach, the striker admits he could learn from the arrival of Foley. “Dom is a top man, and a top player. The first night he trained with us you could see that he oozed class; I feel that I can learn a lot from him and thankfully he seems to be the kind of lad that's willing to teach.”

In regards the attendance, Sheahan was delighted to have over eight hundred packed into Jackman Park and acknowledges the efforts of Limerick’s die-hard supporters. "There was an absolutely fantastic atmosphere in Jackman, people complain about the place, but when there is a crowd like that it's electric. We have great fans at Limerick, it's just up to us now to perform week in week out and keep them entertained.”

Following his signing, a sense of relief engulfed the Limerick faithful. Garry missed all of last season due to an injury picked up against Finn Harps, ironically, also in the first game of last season. “I was unlucky last season with the injury, and with a few setbacks along the way, it became a tough year. But thankfully things are starting to come right and I'm starting to play good quality football again.

"I think I will offer everything I offered in pre-season last year, and more. Being on the sidelines watching games that you should be featuring in is tough, but with that kind of hardship comes a hunger, and I have a point to prove this season.”

Limerick fans shouldn’t worry too much though. Although a lengthy spell out can take its toll on a player, Sheahan insists he is rearing to go. “The muscles are working in tandem again, that was the toughest part of the recovery, so now it's a case of building up match fitness and getting that sharpness back.”

The big day for all Limerick fans to expect Garry back in action is during their Munster Senior Cup clash with Fermoy, although Sheahan admits he wouldn’t refuse a starting place in the league before then.

Sheahan admitted his goal for the season is rather simple. “I want to win over the fans again; I want to get them on their feet in anticipation when I'm on the ball. I want to create bags of goals for Denis and score at least twelve myself. But, all that said, my main goal is to get fully fit and give Pat Scully a further headache when it comes to team selection.”

His final words were rather sentimental. When asked what he would do if he scored the goal to send Limerick back into the top flight, Sheahan smiled and said: “I'll run to Pat O'Sullivan and thank him for everything he's done for me this year and last, that man is special, words can't describe what he means to our club.”