Cork defender Michael Shields has admitted that Bernard Brogan is Dublin’s ‘main man’ ahead of the All-Ireland semi-final clash between the pair this weekend.
Brogan has been in irresistible form all year for Pat Gilroy’s side, clocking up 2-35 in six championship games so far and Shields admitted that it will be a hard task trying to curb his influence on Sunday at Croke Park.
“If you looked at the Armagh game there, Bernard kicked off both his left and his right,” said 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.”
Shields has also been impressed with Brogan’s colleague in the full forward line, Eoghan O’Gara, who has plundered goals against Tyrone and Louth already this year and the 24-year old knows that the Rebels will be punished if they put too much influence on stopping Brogan.
“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,” he added.
The Rebels look set to be without captain and inspirational leader Graham Canty for Sunday’s clash after he pulled a hamstring in the quarter-final victory over Roscommon. Shields, however, feels that if Canty is not fit to take part, it is time for him and his defensive colleagues to stand up and be counted in his absence.
“Throughout this year when Graham was out for the league, I think Conor (Counihan) 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.”
With Kerry and Tyrone out of the championship, Cork have been touted as favourites to land the Sam Maguire, but Shields reckons any of the four teams left in the competition could go on and claim the All-Ireland title.
“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,†he said.
“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.”
