Sleepless nigh

CHRIS Shields endured a few sleepless nights last winter thinking about Dundalk’s FAI Cup final defeat to Cork City on penalties.

Having become a father for the first time at the weekend, that’s something he doesn’t need heading into this off season.

The PFAI Player of the Year nominee might have a fourth league winners’ medal in his back pocket already but he feels the shine could be taken off a record-breaking year for the club if they don’t complete the double on Sunday.

‘In my own head last year I was saying it’s nice to be still picking up silverware because we won the EA Sports Cup but we still missed out on the two that we always want.

‘The Cup final was tough to take because I had never lost such an occasion on a penalty shoot-out. When a game goes to penalties, it is a lottery and anything can happen so to lose it that way was a kick in the teeth, especially after taking the lead in extra-time. Then to go and concede again was tough to take and it does stay with you right through to pre-season until you get going again.

‘You’re trying to go to sleep at night and it’s still festering in your head. That’s just the way it is with football I suppose.

Should Shields emerge a winner on Sunday then it will be the 10th piece of silverware he has won at the club. He puts that down to the work of Stephen Kenny and the ethos he has installed at the club.