Advertisement
Shields is a key player for the Lilywhites. Laszlo Geczo/INPHO
big loss

Dundalk will be without the LOI Player of the Year for this weekend's FAI Cup final

Influential midfielder Chris Shields is suspended for Sunday’s meeting with Shamrock Rovers due to his eight yellow cards.

DUNDALK MIDFIELDER CHRIS Shields will play no part in this weekend’s FAI Cup final. 

The 28-year-old Dubliner, who won the FAI’s League of Ireland Player of the Year award in 2018, has learned that he is suspended for the showdown with Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. 

Shields picked up his eighth booking of the season in the 1-0 loss to Cork City a fortnight ago, and then played in the final Premier Division game of the season — a 4-0 win over St Patrick’s Athletic last Friday night. 

Dundalk were informed of the ban over the weekend and appealed the ruling, but his suspension has been formally upheld. The player has told The42 that he is “gutted” to miss out on the biggest game of the year.  

There is an amnesty for players unavailable for the cup final after accruing five bookings, but it doesn’t apply to those on eight.  

Shields, the Louth club’s joint-longest-serving player having arrived from Bray Wanderers in 2012, will be a significant loss to Vinny Perth’s side as they appear at the Aviva Stadium for the fifth year in-a-row to take on league runners-up Rovers. 

The previous four finals have all been against Cork City, with both clubs winning two each. 

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Your Voice
Readers Comments
2
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel