Chris Shields has shed light on Dundalk's limited training programme on the back of a punishing schedule saw management forced to withdraw players for their own protection.
The Lilywhites ended their campaign with a 4-1 win over Galway, with Shields one of a number of players excused from duty after they wrapped up their third SSE Airtricity title on the trot the week before against Bohemians.
Stephen Kenny’s side still have an FAI Cup Final against Cork City to look forward to and continue their Europa League odyssey away to Zenit St. Petersburg next week as the games continue to mount.
In less than two months, Dundalk have played 17 matches and Shields says their continued run of positive results is a result of their diligent management and backroom team.
“It’s a credit to everyone that works in the club,” he told RTÉ Radio One’s Saturday Sport.
“Everybody has to work in sync. There have been times when the physios have had to make tough calls, pulling boys out when they want to train or play a match, but they have a final call.
“The likes of Daryl Horgan, he never wants to come off the pitch.”
Kenny has voiced his displeasure at the scheduling, suggesting that it is “diminishing standards” and Shields has laid out what the training schedule has looked like in recent weeks.
“We had nine matches in 20 days,” he said.
“When we got that schedule, it was play a match, we’d have a cool down the next day in the gym or pool, do a light enough session and then have another match.
“That was basically the sequence for three or four weeks at a time.”
