Shields: Rebels stepping into unknown

THE catalogue of senior football championship clashes between Cork and Wexford is far from extensive, yet not even their league meetings are of relevance in informing Michael Shields about his opponents in this Sunday’s All-Ireland qualifier tie.

Sixteen months ago Cork faced off against Wexford in a dire NFL Division 2 clash in Páirc Ui Chaoimh, the home side cantering to a 12-point win in a game where the meagre attendance of 528 patrons illustrated the lack of interest. Shields is expecting radical changes for this weekend’s clash. Wexford have enjoyed a renaissance this season after a horrible run of setbacks in 2009 and that should be reflected in a bumper home crowd in Wexford Park.

“That league game was a bit of a farce really,” recalls Shields. “There was no real atmosphere that day and I don’t think Wexford were at their peak. I’ve only played against them in few challenge matches apart from that so it’s a bit of a step into the unknown. But I’d expect Wexford to be really fired up this time.”