Shields: Cork will use revival of 80s for All-Ireland inspiration

CORK defender Michael Shields has described the county’s past record against Kerry in Croke Park as not relevant to the outcome of this year’s All-Ireland Senior Football Championship and believes the current Cork team can take inspiration from the Rebel side in the 1980s which lost two All-Ireland finals before finally tasting glory in 1989 and 1990.

“On the day, we didn’t play well last year, but that’s history. It’s not relevant any more and you have to move on and drive on with this year. Being honest, in the early years when we were up there against Kerry, we were in transition and team building. Bar last year we’re in good form and we’re going nicely.

“I think you look at previous Cork teams, in the 80s, they lost a couple before they won one. I’ve spoke to some of the previous team about that and they’ve all mentioned it to me. You listen to fellas like that and take it on board. Keep going was their main message and I think that’s the best way to approach it.”

Shields admits that expectation levels surrounding Cork will now rise after their recent National Football League triumph and the manner in which Conor Counihan has embellished his squad throughout the spring.

“It comes with the territory after winning the league. We’d be considered one of the top teams in the country, so you’re always going to get that sort of talk. All we’re thinking about is June 6 and if we lose that, all that goes out the window. A lot of us don’t have a league medal and it was 11 years since Cork last won there. It was important for us to win it and I’m glad we did the business on the day.

“It’s a great problem to have. The hardest part of all for Conor Counihan is actually to pick the team. Look a couple of the more established players were out but there’s great competition there and everyone’s on their toes now. Fellas are hopping off each other in training and that’s the best way to have it.

“We used up to 34 players during the league and that will hopefully stand to them come the championship.

“A lot of us were playing Sigerson too and a lot of us had club commitments as well. We were always tipping nicely and it came together well at the end of the league.

“Everything’s gone well so far.”