Shields happy to avoid Kerry

Cork full-back Michael Shields is glad Kerry didn’t reach Sunday’s Division 1 final, as the game would have been overshadowed by their potential Munster semi-final.

Conor Counihan’s side are looking for their third consecutive league title from their fourth NFL final in as many years.

However, they know where their priorities lie and Shields believes it is an advantage that they don’t have to face their great rivals six weeks before their possible date in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in June.