Shields puts up defence for ‘unlucky’ Cadogan

CORK defender Michael Shields is hopeful GAA disciplinary chiefs will review Maurice Condon’s dismissal of Eoin Cadogan in Sunday’s Division 1 league tie in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Cadogan saw red for an altercation with Armagh forward Steven McDonnell in the second-half and is set to miss the league final against Dublin in Croke Park on April 24.

Shields said: “I saw it and Eoin was very unlucky. Unfortunately the referee saw differently. He was bursting out with the ball and I think it was just a reaction to release his grip. He didn’t hurt him or catch him high. I think he’s a bit unlucky and hopefully the powers in Dublin can have a look at it again. He’s a big player for us.”

Shields believes it is beneficial to Cork that they have a Croke Park showdown to prepare for.

“It’s nice to get a run there. If you’re looking to get there for the championship, you want to get used to the surroundings early in the year. Going up the night before and getting used to the pre-match routine is very important. There’s going to be a massive crowd so it’ll be something to look forward to. We’re looking forward to facing the Dubs again. We didn’t play to our best that night (league defeat). We’d a lot of changes in our defence so we’re looking forward to another cut off the Dubs in Croke Park.”

Shields is also pleased with his own fitness levels after returning to the squad in late February following a trip to Australia after the squad’s team holiday in South Africa.

“I took an extended break when I went off to Australia. I was slow to get started in the first few games but I trained away. Aidan O’Connell our fitness coach has been working hard with me and Conor (Counihan) has been very good to me too, very accommodating. I’m happier now with where I am.”

Meanwhile, former Dublin midfielder Ciarán Whelan claims it is essential his county win the league decider.

Whelan, who played in Dublin’s last final appearance in 1999 when they lost to the Rebels, feels they have to maintain their unbeaten run in the campaign and 100% record at Croke Park this year if they are to use the league as a platform to bigger things in the summer.

“I think Cork as All-Ireland champions, as league champions, (winning the title) is not as important for them,” reckoned Whelan. “It’s more of a psychological thing for both teams to lay down a marker early on in the year.

“This time last year when Dublin got beaten by Meath they had a fear of Cork as Cork were playing so well. They’ve closed the gap incredibly over a short period of time and if they could turn them over in a national final it would give them great confidence going into the championship.

“They have great confidence and momentum at the moment and you don’t want it to be a setback. You look at Mayo here last year and they lost the league final and they never recovered. You would hope that a national title would give great self-belief and confidence for Dublin.”

Whelan expressed his sympathy for Alan Brogan, who is likely to miss out on the match after picking up a straight red card against Galway on Sunday.

“I feel for Alan. Alan has a good disciplinary record. An incident happened and there were no cameras at the match.

“It’s disappointing for Alan. He’s around since 2002 and it would be disappointing if he were to miss out on a final.”