Shields: Rebels have no Croker surface tension

MICHAEL SHIELDS admits the Cork squad aren’t dwelling on the impact of the new Croke Park playing surface which gets its first test in their All Ireland quarter-final against Donegal on Sunday.

Shields has full confidence in the “professionals” dealing with the relaying of the new surface, an issue that has gained huge media coverage ever since the last Croke Park pitch was ripped up for the three U2 concerts.

Cork’s previous appearance at GAA headquarters came in April’s National Football League Division Two final when they overcame Monaghan, but there are fears the new pitch could create problems for Sunday’s participants.

“I wouldn’t be an expert on the type of turf we’ll be playing on but there are professionals dealing with the relaying of the surface,” said Shields, who picked up the RED FM Cork Southside Award for July yesterday.

“They’ve worked on Premiership grounds, so hopefully it should be okay and we won’t be slipping on it. As a squad we haven’t really talked about it. I think everyone is looking forward to playing in Croke Park – it’s the best stadium in Ireland and every time I go up, I love playing there. Hopefully it will be alright for us.”

Shields has played a major role in the Rebels’ successful run this season, manning the full-back position with authority. However, he says he’d be delighted if the man who usually stands to his left, Anthony Lynch, regains his fitness ahead of the Donegal clash.

“Anthony has been there for the last 12 years, and the man is probably one of the best professionals I ever came across. He’s the most committed fellow you’ll ever meet and his performances for Cork have been nothing but outstanding. If you’re missing a guy like him, it’d be a huge loss. It even showed against Limerick when he was missing – his influence and his leadership on the game was a big loss to us. But if he’s unable to play we’ll miss him but hopefully he’ll be fit.”