McGrath determined to end Tipp’s League wait
AFTER being on the losing side in three Hurling League finals, Noel McGrath is determined to collect one of the few medals in the game that has eluded him. All-Ireland champions Tipperary get a chance to set the record straight against Galway this weekend and McGrath admitted: ‘It’s something that every player wants to do — to win as many trophies as they can.’ The last time Tipperary won the competition was 2008, when Paul Ormond captained the team, the only time a player from McGrath’s club Loughmore-Castleiney lifted a League title with Tipperary. ‘I think he lifted it with Eoin Kelly that day, the two of them. Yeah, it’s nine years ago now so it’s one that we’d like to change and get back up and win a League.’ McGrath and his brother John are two big reasons why Tipp are in the final, banging in 2-2 apiece in the semi-final against Wexford. ‘Look, it’s great to have him there beside you but he’s another player for Tipperary,’ he said. ‘Whether he’s my brother or not, everyone needs to perform and everyone needs to do his best and that goes for us all.’ After being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2015, he is back to full health and his best form in what has been two years of such lows and highs. ‘Yeah, as you say, from the low to the high. Wondering would I ever play for club or county, again — to getting back on the pitch again. ‘Just getting that buzz of running out in front of big crowds and wearing the jersey again is massive. So it’s great to be back involved.’