Michael Shields

Michael Shields (born 8 August 1986) is an Irish sportsperson.

Shields first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor football team in 2004.

That year Cork qualified for a Munster final showdown with arch-rivals Kerry.

That game ended in a 0–9 apiece draw.

Cork lost the second game by three points.

In spite of this Cork were still in with a chance of claiming the All-Ireland title.

A 1–9 apiece draw was the result of their All-Ireland quarter-final game against Laois.

Shields did not participate in the replay which Laois won.

Born in Cork, he plays Gaelic football with his local club St Finbarr's and was a member at senior level of the Cork county football team from 2005.

In 2005 Shields joined the Cork under-21 football team.

He made his debut in a Munster quarter-final victory over Kerry.

He lined out in the subsequent semi-final trouncing of Clare.

Shields played no further part in the under-21 championship seasons.

Cork went on to win the Munster title but lose the All-Ireland semi-final to Galway.

After impressing in some challenge and McGrath Cup games in 2005, Shields was handed his senior championship debut in the 2006 Munster final against Kerry.

In 2006 Shields had established himself on the starting fifteen of the Cork under-21 team.

He lined out in the provincial decider that year against Waterford; however, the Decies were no match for 'the Rebels'.

A 4–14 to 1–6 trouncing gave Cork the victory and gave Shields a first |Munster under-21 winners' medal on the field of play.

Cork later manoeuvred through the All-Ireland series and reached the All-Ireland final against Mayo.

That game was a close affair; however, at the final whistle Cork were defeated by just two points.

In 2007, after fifty years of playing in the top flight of the County Senior Football Championship, St Finbarr's were relegated to the intermediate level.

In 2007 Shields was in his last year as a member of the Cork under-21 team.

He lined out in the provincial decider that year against Tipperary and a high-scoring and exciting game developed.

Cork won by 3–19 to 3–12 and Shields added a second Munster under-21 winners' medal to his collection.

Cork later reached the All-Ireland final against Laois.

Another close and exciting game of football developed as neither side took a decisive lead.

Colm O'Neill and Daniel Goulding combined to score two goals and to help Cork to a narrow 2–10 to 0–15 victory.

It was Shields's first All-Ireland winners' medal at under-21 level.

This grade of football did not pose any problem to Shields's side, as they reached the final in 2008.

St Vincent's provided the opposition on that occasion; however, 'the Barr's' were held to a draw.

The replay a week later was more conclusive.

St Finbarr's won by 2–13 to 0–14, giving Shields a County Premier Intermediate Championship winners' medal.

Following this promotion, St Finbarr's would lose consecutive Senior finals in 2009 & 2010 to Clonakilty and Nemo Rangers respectively.

He won an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 2010.

Shields plays his club Gaelic football with the St Finbarr's club on the south side of Cork city.

He first came to prominence on the club scene at underage levels; however, he experienced little success with the St Finbarr's minor or under-21 teams.

It was more heartbreak for the Blues in 2017 where again they lost to Nemo Rangers after a replay.

These years of hurt finally came to an end in 2018 when the Barrs' beat Duhallow in the decider, giving Shields his first Senior county winners medal.

St Finbarr's defeated Clonakilty in the 2021 final on a scoreline of 0-14 to 0-13, adding another county medal to his collection.

Shields came on as a second-half substitute.