Shields misses Rules test to play in Cork final

MICHAEL SHIELDS has been ruled out of Ireland’s plans for Saturday’s International Rules first test against Australia at the Gaelic Grounds due to his involvement in Sunday’s Cork SFC final.

Shields helped St Finbarr’s reach the decider against Nemo Rangers with victory over Carbery Rangers in last weekend’s semi-final.

St Finbarr’s manager Tony Leahy last night admitted the All Star full-back has been placed in ‘an awkward position’ but that he is focused on club duties.

“It’s not often you get to represent your country and it’s just one of those awkward things. In fairness, the club is where he got his break and he’s driving on now. It’s hard on him. But that’s the way it goes. There’s no point in cribbing about it or anything like that. It’s just about driving on now and getting on with it.”

Shields’ unavailability creates an opening in Anthony Tohill’s Irish squad for one of the seven players who were named on standby during last week’s official squad announcement. Given Shield’s position as a defender, Kildare’s Emmet Bolton and Limerick’s Johnny McCarthy would appear to be the frontrunners to replace Shields. The St Finbarr’s player is likely to be available for the second test at Croke Park on October 30.

Meanwhile, the Australian squad are set to train in Páirc Ui Rinn this morning ahead of tomorrow night’s unofficial test at the venue at 6pm against a colleges selection comprised of UCC and CIT players. The Cork colleges selection will be managed by Des Cullinane and Keith Ricken, and includes ten members of the Cork All-Ireland winning panel. UCC supply Ken O’Halloran, Jamie O’Sullivan, Sean Kiely and Eoin Cotter while CIT’s representatives are Ray Carey, Aidan Walsh, Ciaran Sheehan, Conor O’Driscoll, Colm O’Neill and Paul Flynn. Johnny Buckley and Daithí Casey from Kerry county champions Dr Crokes, Waterford senior Sean O’Hare and Kerry senior Barry John Walsh are also included.

Admission to tomorrow night’s game is free for juveniles with adults being asked to give a donation to local Cork GAA charities. Among the GAA charities to benefit will be the Alan Kerins Fund, which is being supported by a large number of the Cork senior hurling panel.

Anyone who requires juvenile tickets is asked to contact Des Cullinane at [e-mail] or Cork county games manager Kevin O’Callaghan.

UCC/CIT: K O’Halloran (Cork), D Óg O’Donovan (Cork), A Greaney (Kerry), M Collins (Cork), P Honohan (Cork), K O’Driscoll (Cork), P Crowley (Kerry), JB Spillane (Kerry), J O’Sullivan (Cork), L Jennings (Cork), J Buckley (Kerry), D Casey (Kerry), S Kiely (Cork), E Cotter (Cork), S Óg O ‘hAilpín (Cork), B Walsh (Cork), R Carey (Cork), S O’Donoghue (Cork), A Walsh (Cork), C O’Driscoll (Cork), P Flynn (Cork), S O’Hare (Waterford), A O’Sullivan (Cork), BJ Walsh (Kerry), C O’Neill (Cork), J Fitzpatrick (Cork), R Power (Cork), C Sheehan (Cork), H Curran (Cork).