Ballycastle Chronicle - Sports - ‘It’s only the beginning’ says Shields

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‘It’s only the beginning’ says Shields

Thursday, 29 July 2010

‘It’s only the beginning’ says Shields thumbnail Antrim manager Dinny Cahill during the closing stages of the All-Ireland SHC quarter-final clash against Cork in Croke Park on Sunday.

ANTRIM'S All-Ireland campaign might have succumbed to the power of Cork at Croke Park on Sunday, but their captain Paul Shields says the team can build on the success of 2010.
“The team was a wee bit downbeat after the game, but we look on it as only the beginning," said the young Dunlop Cuchullains clubman. "We will regroup for next year and build from there. It's important that we just don't sit content on the season we have had but instead improve and show progress next time."
That progress has had much to do with the belief the Antrim management has injected into the players. Dinny Cahill has very much been to the fore of that fighting spirit and 'can do' attitude, and as Shields says, if they Antrim are to progress from this year, Dinny and his management team are integral to those plans.
“Dinny is very enthusiastic about Antrim hurling. He has his heart set on staying and it's great for the team because he believes in the squad.
“After the game he was talking about coming back in the new year and starting from there, but first, he says, to go back to our clubs and play in our championships and to use what we've gained this year with our clubs. We're looking forward to next year. "
The Saffrons surpassed the expectations of many, and maybe even themselves, when they reached the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final this year. After disposing of Dublin with a last-gasp victory in phase three of the qualifiers two weekends ago, there was never going to be an easy draw left as the teams were whittled down to the final eight. And when Cork came out of the hat, there was a collective groan from the whole of Ulster as Antrim's chances of causing yet another upset slimmed.
But on Sunday, at GAA Headquarters, the Saffrons showed the mettle, the fight and the spirit that has saw them come so far this year, and although they didn't manage to make it to the last four of the competition, they battled bravely right until the end. Indeed, the Ulster champions were right in the game until the final minutes of the first half, when a Nial McCarthy forehand smash earned the only goal of the game and two more Ben O'Connor points saw the Rebels open up the nine-point gap that would eventually separate the sides at the end.
There was no hiding the disappointment felt by the players, including their captain, who had to retire from the game injured after just 26 minutes.
“We didn't achieve what we wanted, but credit to Cork, they are a very good and experienced team. It was maybe a step too far for us this year, but we will regroup now in the new year and try and go one step better. We improved a good bit throughout the season," said Shields.
“We've had a few good performances like against Offaly and then Carlow and Dublin where we battled back and won the games. It's instilled a bit of belief into ourselves and we can see what we can do. But we're only good if we can go forward from this. We're a young team and we've learned a lot of experience from this year, and that's credit to our management.
“I'm a bit disappointed I had to come off, but I've struggled with injury a lot this year. I feel I didn't do myself or the team justice. My knee has been bothering me all season, but hopefully now I'll rest it for a few weeks before we get into the club championship end of things.
“It was a proud moment for me. It's a nice feeling to lead your county onto Croke Park, but at the end of the day, it was the result we were looking, and we didn't get that."