Veteran Michael Shields gives credit to young guns

By Eamonn Murphy

Michael Shields is one of the wily veterans in the St Finbarr’s line-up but he believes the new breed of footballer in Togher deserve huge credit for their county success.

The Barrs captured the Andy Scannell Cup for the first time since 1985 in beating Duhallow on Sunday, despite injuries to key players like Cillian Myers Murray, Sam Ryan and Deccie Murphy.

“We’ve a savage squad and we could have 35 to 40 at training. There are two lads for each position and fierce competitive A v B games. To be fair to the younger lads they bring it at training. They’ve unbelievable work-rate and attitude. They drive it on more than anyone else.”

In recent years the Blues have landed minor and U21 silverware, while Ian Maguire – their captain and official Rearden’s man of the match – has been one of Cork’s best performers.

If you look at the last eight to 10 years, we’ve won minors and U21s and we’re always in the mix at those ages. They come into senior with an attitude. They expect to win.

“Look at the younger players like Eoghan Finn and Colm Barrett, what they contributed off the bench. Alan McCarthy was outstanding last year and he didn’t come in but he’s a major part of the panel.”

Introducing an outside voice in Ray Keane, who lives in Ovens but is a brother of new Kerry manager Peter, also paid off.

“Ray brought the fresh ideas and just a new perspective. When lads are involved in a club for a long time it can be difficult to take a step back and make changes.”

One of those was redeploying former All-Star Cork full-back Shields as a roving number 11. Former Barrs goalie Kevin McTernan, who sadly died this time last year after an illness, was the catalyst for the switch.

“He said there were six good, hungry young backs and it was a chance to change it up. It took a bit of time but it worked out. Now it’s not the same as a traditional centre-forward role. Football has evolved and it’s about creating space and dropping deep to help the backs as well.”

Shields had to endure a series of heartbreaking losses, in the 2009 and 2010 county finals and again last year to Nemo Rangers after a replay, before ending the 33-year wait.

“It’s huge relief but phenomenal satisfaction as well because we’d been on the end of too many disappointing results over the years.

“There were serious questions asked of us and I think we answered them.

There was pressure, of course, but look we couldn’t control the past. Whether we won or lost the last eight county finals, we had to perform on the day. History doesn’t decide what you do in the county final when it matters.

Now 32, he has no regrets about stepping away from Cork duty. “It’s very demanding with Cork, four or five nights a week when you’ve work and kids [daughters Jamie and Leah]. I always loved it with Cork but it’s the work-life balance.”

The future could be blue on Leeside, but first there’s the Munster series, with St Finbarr’s taking on Dr Crokes or Moyle Rovers in the semi-final. “We’re in a good position without a doubt. The players need to drive it on but I think they’ve done that up to now so there’s no reason they can’t. We can take nothing for granted because there are plenty of good teams.”

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