Sport has to take a back seat
JOHN MCGRATH gave 12 years service to Wicklow until ending his intercounty involvement three years ago, memorably wearing the county jersey in 2012 within a year of being diagnosed with cancer.
So he understands more than most the importance of the league to most counties that don’t feature in the mix for
Championship honours.
But he believes that the Covid pandemic must trump everything for now, even for players who had been hoping to play league football and hurling in March.
“It’s tough, but sympathy isn’t a feeling I have for it because there are more important things right now,” said Mcgrath, of the GAA’S current position with no dates set for a return to play.
“I have sympathy for people who have been deeply affected by Covid, with illness, family tragedy, loss of jobs, etc.
“Football is a huge part of my life, and it’s the same for many more people.
“But with the times we are in, it’s a privilege for us to play and watch it.”
When the time comes and club football is given the green light again, Mcgrath will ready himself for an 18th year with Baltinglass, though his work as a buyer for John Paul Construction is “manic” despite the current restrictions.
“I will yeah, there’s no sign of me dropping off yet,” he said.
Mcgrath has won three county championships with the club, starting in 2007 and again nine years later before last year’s success.
“I think Covid has really helped me in that I was beginning to wane before it hit,” he reflected.
“I live in Dublin so I was up and down the road to Baltinglass all the time. But I know if I couldn’t do it I’d be much worse off”.