Shields ponders damage limitation on Dublin duo

THEY have been one of the central tenets of Dublin’s progress this summer.

Bernard Brogan has been established as the go-to guy in the capital attack over the last few seasons but in recent weeks he has elevated his play to a higher level with a series of glittering displays.

If sweetly-struck points have been Brogan’s calling card, goals are the currency that his full-forward line colleague Eoghan O’Gara trades in. The form of Brogan and O’Gara has drawn plenty admirers this season, including one of the men detailed to watch them in next Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final.

“If you looked at the Armagh game there, Bernard kicked off both his left and his right,” says Cork defender Michael Shields. “The next game he kicked mostly off his right. So it just shows he can kick with both feet and trying to mark a fella like that is hard. You might shadow him onto one foot and then, bang, he sticks it over with the other. He’s their main man.

“O’Gara then throws caution to the wind. He puts his head where other fellas wouldn’t put their foot. You’ve got to compliment him. He’s been a revelation so far.”

Cork’s cause could be weakened if captain Graham Canty is sidelined with a hamstring injury but Shields feels the team is mature enough now to cope and that the availability of Eoin Cadogan is a bonus.

“Throughout this year when Graham was out for the league, I think Conor spoke to us and he made a good point. He said ‘Graham’s not going to be around forever.’ A few of us are young and we really just need to step up to the plate now and put down a marker ourselves. The likes of Jamie O’Sullivan and Eoin Cotter have done that. They have made a difference.”

“The thing about Eoin (Cadogan) is that he’s a fierce athlete. The thing he brings is championship experience. It’s a big plus.”

The absence of Kerry and Tyrone from the concluding stages of the championship seemingly heaps the pressure on Cork to finally land Sam Maguire. Their performances this summer have drawn criticism, but Shields is unperturbed.

“I wouldn’t read any papers or listen to any of the media. I wouldn’t listen to anyone outside our circle. Everyone is going to have an agenda.

“They’re always going to back their team. Being honest, I did think Kerry would beat Down. But look, Down put in a fantastic performance and fully deserved their win. If you look at the four teams still in it, they’re all along similar lines.

“We don’t have an All-Ireland medal and neither does any other team. It’s wide open for all teams and every team will think they have a chance.”