Eddie Brennan | Joe Canning | Ollie Canning | DJ Carey | Eugene Cloonan
Martin Comerford | Lar Corbett | Brendan Cummins | Ronan Curran
Ger Farragher | James 'cha' Fitzpatrick | Damien Fitzhenry | Paul Flynn
John Gardiner | Niall Gilligan | Damian Hayes | Conal Keaney | Michael Kavanagh
Eoin Kennedy | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Larkin | Derek Lyng
Fergus McMahon | Seanie McMahon | Johnny McIntosh | Andrew Mitchell
Stephen Molumpy | Pat Mulcahy | John Mullane | Sean Óg Ó Hailpin
Andrew O'Shaughnessy | Ben O'Connor | Seamus Prendergast
Keith Raymond | Eoin Quigley | Joe Rabbite | Keith Rossiter | Dan Shanahan
Henry Shefflin | James Skehill | Tommy Walsh | Brian Whelehan | James Young
Brian Phelan | David O'Callaghan | JJ Delaney | Pádraic Maher | Shane McGrath
Tipperary are one of the true aristocrats of hurling but they fell by the wayside in the 90s during hurling’s Revolution Years. In 200, they broke up the dominance of the Cork and Kilkenny hurlers when they won the All-Ireland title when beating Galway, but now Tipp are back once again as serious contenders. Their boss Liam Sheedy has developed a good side and is not afraid to throw young lads in at the deep end and Shane McGrath is one of them repaying this trust. Since making his Championship debut in 2006, he has become one of the stars of the game and went on to win an All-Star Award in 2008 at midfield, no mean feat. He is the true modern midfielder who can cover the ground and who has the skill to cause the opposition serious damage. After success with Limerick IT he wants to help Tipp get back where they belong.
Kilkenny have raised the bar for everyone else in hurling but Tipperary seem best equipped to knock them off their perch. What have been the main improvements this year?
We have a better panel and we are more of a team. We have worked hard on improving our skills as well.
It’s been a great few years for Tipperary. It must be great to be part of such a talented bunch of players?
Yes it is. There is a strong work ethic in the panel but we are also great friends and we get great enjoyment out of training and playing together.
What has been your greatest moment in sport?
Winning the Munster final in Thurles this year, the 125th Anniversary of the founding of the GAA in the county.
Which is the toughest team you have faced?
It would have to be Kilkenny in this year’s National Hurling League final.
Who was your toughest ever opponent?
Jerry O’Connor of Cork.
Which players do you admire the most?
Offaly’s Brian Whelehan and Tommy Dunne of Tipp.
Who was your childhood sporting hero?
It would have been Nicky English of Tipperary.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
I play for Ballinahinch and our biggest rivals are our neighbouring club, Newport.
What’s the most important skill in your opinion?
I’d say it is striking on the run.
What advice would you give to young players coming through the ranks?
Believe in yourself, simple as that.
What are your hopes for the future?
To become the Principal of a Primary School and win 5 All-Ireland medals.
STATS
Name: Shane McGrath
Age: 25
Team: Tipperary
Debut: 2006 v Limerick
Position: Midfield
Honours:
2 Munster Senior titles,
1 Munster U21 title,
1 National League title,
2 Fitzgibbon Cups titles,
1 All-Star Award.
Club: Ballinahinch
Fav Food: Taco Fries
Fav Music: Celine Dion
Fav Book: Lance Armstrong’s "Every Second Counts"
Fav TV: Six One News - no time to watch anything else
Fav Film: Hangover
Hobbies: Beach Volleyball
Occupation: Student Teacher
CúlFACT: Shane was an extra in the RTE comedy show Kilnascully, which is filmed in his home parish. |
