Ronan Finn feels Chris Shields’ pain ahead of the FAI Cup final – because he knows it could have been him.
Dundalk enforcer Shields must serve a suspension on Sunday having accumulated eight yellow cards.
The booking he picked up in the penultimate game against Cork City tipped him over the edge but begs the question why was he risked?
It appears the club made a mistake and were not on top of the situation but head coach Vinny Perth said on Wednesday that now is not the time to point fingers.
Finn was on 10 yellow cards himself – just two away from a ban – and was walking a fine line.
“General manager Noel Byrne would keep a very tight record of everybody and we’d all know where we are at throughout the season,” said the Hoops skipper.
“Coming into a big game in three weeks’ time, everyone knows they need to be careful here because you’re swinging.
“That is briefed to us quite regularly throughout the season.
“Noel has a good record and if you are ever struggling in your head, Noel would be on straight away. It’s very important, it really is.”
Asked if he has sympathy for his old Lilywhites team-mate Shields, Finn said: “Listen, nobody likes to miss out on cup finals.
“Something has happened, whether that is a clerical error it’s not for me to say.
“But Dundalk have a strong squad and I’m sure they’ll have a replacement.”
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