John McGrath (Tipperary hurler)

John McGrath (born 28 July 1994) is an Irish hurler and Gaelic footballer who plays for Tipperary Senior Championship club Loughmore-Castleiney and at inter-county level with the Tipperary senior hurling team. He usually lines out as a right corner-forward.

John McGrath
Personal information
Irish name Seán Mac Craith
Sport Hurling
Position Right corner-forward
Born (1994-07-28) 28 July 1994
Loughmore, County Tipperary, Ireland
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Club(s)
Years Club
2011-present
 Loughmore-Castleiney
Club titles
  Football Hurling
Tipperary titles 3 1
Colleges(s)
Years College
2013-2018
 University of Limerick
College titles
Fitzgibbon titles 2
Inter-county(ies)*
Years County Apps (scores)
2015-present
 Tipperary 22 (12-49)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 2
All-Irelands 2
NHL 0
All Stars 1
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 22:23, 18 November 2019.

Playing career

Our Lady's Secondary School

McGrath first came to prominence as a hurler with Our Lady's Secondary School in Templemore. He played in every grade of hurling before eventually joining the college's senior hurling team. On 24 February 2013, McGrath top scored with 0-05 for the team when they suffered a 2-21 to 1-11 defeat by Dungarvan Colleges in the Harty Cup final.[1]

University of Limerick

As a student at the University of Limerick, McGrath joined the senior hurling team during his second year. On 1 March 2015, he was selected at right wing-forward when UL faced the Waterford Institute of Technology in the Fitzgibbon Cup final. McGrath spent much of the game at centre-forward and top scored for UL with 0-05 in the 0-21 to 3-12 draw.[2] He was switched to full-forward for the replay on 11 March. McGrath ended the game with 0-06 and collected a winners' medal following the 2-18 to 1-14 defeat.[3]

McGrath lined out in a second successive Fitzgibbon Cup final on 27 February 2016. He was selected at right corner-forward but spent much of the game at centre-forward and scored 2-07 in the 1-30 to 3-22 defeat by Mary Immaculate College.[4]

On 24 February 2018, McGrath lined out in a third Fitzgibbon Cup final when UL faced DCU Dóchas Éireann. He scored two points from right corner-forward and collected a second winners' medal following a 2-21 to 2-15 victory.[5]

Loughmore-Castleiney

McGrath joined the Loughmore-Castleiney club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels, enjoying championship success in the minor and under-21 grades.

On 13 October 2013, McGrath lined out at right wing-forward against Nenagh Éire Óg in his first Tipperary Hurling Championship final. He was held scoreless throughout but ended the game with a winners' medal following the 1-17 to 1-16 victory.[6] On 3 November 2013, McGrath lined out in his second final of the year when Loughmore-Castleiney faced Aherlow Gaels in the Tipperary Football Championship final. He top scored with 1-09 from midfield in the 3-10 to 0-09 victory.[7]

On 2 November 2014, McGrath lined out in a second successive Tipperary Hurling Championship final. He scored 1-01 from right wing-forward in the 2-22 to 3-11 defeat by Thurles Sarsfields.[8] McGrath lined out in a second successive Tipperary Football Championship final on 21 December 2014. He scored 0-02 from frees in the 2-07 to 1-10 draw with Cahir.[9] McGrath top scored with 0-04 in the replay on 26 December 2014 and collected a second successive winners' medal following a 0-09 to 2-02 victory.[10]

McGrath lined out in a third Tipperary Football Championship final in four seasons on 30 October 2016. He scored a point from midfield and ended the game with a third winners' medal following a 1-09 to 1-06 defeat of Moyle Rovers.[11]

Minor and under-21

McGrath was just 15-years-old when he was selected for the Tipperary minor hurling team prior to the start of the 2010 Munster Championship. He was an unused substitute during Tipperary's 0-17 to 1-13 defeat by Clare on 5 May 2010.[12]

McGrath became a dual player during the 2011 Munster Championships. On 3 July, he was an unused substitute with the Tipperary minor football team when they defeated Cork by 3-11 to 1-09 to win the Munster Championship.[13] On 18 September 2011, McGrath was selected at centre-forward when Tipperary faced Dublin in the All-Ireland final. He was substituted at half-time but ended the game with a winners' medal following the 3-09 to 1-14 victory.[14]

McGrath was again eligible for the minor grade in 2012 and retained his status as a dual player. On 8 July 2012, he won a second successive Munster Championship with the Tipperary minor football team after coming on as a 55th-minute substitute in the 2-14 to 1-14 defeat of Kerry in the final.[15] On 15 July 2012, McGrath lined out at midfield when the Tipperary minor hurling team faced Clare in the Munster final. He top scored with 0-07, including three from frees, and collected a winners' medal following the 1-16 to 1-12 victory.[16] McGrath again lined out at midfield when Tipperary faced Dublin in the All-Ireland final. He top scored with 1-07 in the 2-13 to 1-16 draw.[17] McGrath was again the top scorer with 0-10 in the replay on 30 September 2012. He ended the game with an All-Ireland medal following the 2-18 to 1-11 victory.[18] McGrath was also Tipperary's top championship scorer with 2-46 from six games.

McGrath joined the Tipperary under-21 hurling panel in advance of the 2013 Munster Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 17 July 2013 when he came on as a 35th-minute substitute in a 5-19 to 2-13 defeat of Cork.[19] McGrath was once again introduced as a substitute when Tipperary suffered a 1-17 to 2-10 defeat by Clare in the Munster final on 7 August 2013.[20]

McGrath was added to the Tipperary under-21 football team during the 2014 Munster Championship. On 9 April 2014, he lined out at right wing-forward when Tipperary suffered a 1-18 to 3-08 defeat by Cork in the Munster final.[21]

For the second successive season, McGrath was a dual player at under-21 level with Tipperary in 2015. An injury ruled him out of the Munster final with the footballers against Cork on 9 April 2015, however, he claimed a winners' medal as an unused substitute following the 1-15 to 3-08 victory.[22] On 2 May 2015, McGrath started the All-Ireland final against Tyrone on the bench. He came on in the 52nd minute in what was Tipperary's only substitution in the 1-11 to 0-13 defeat.[23]

Senior

McGrath was added to the Tipperary senior team in advance of the 2015 National League. He made his first appearance for the team on 22 February 2015 when he scored 0-02 from left corner-forward in a 2-18 to 0-20 defeat of Galway.[24] A chronic groin injury meant that McGrath was an unused substitute for Tipperary in the subsequent Championship. On 12 July 2015, he won a Munster Championship medal as a non-playing substitute following Tipperary's 0-21 to 0-16 defeat of Waterford in the Munster final.[25]

On 22 May 2016, McGrath made his Munster Championship debut at left corner-forward in a 0-22 to 0-13 defeat of Cork.[26] He was switched to right corner-forward for the Munster final against Waterford. McGrath scored 3-02, including a goal from a penalty, and collected a second successive winners' medal following the 5-19 to 0-13 victory.[27] He retained his position at right corner-forward for the All-Ireland final against Kilkenny on 4 September 2016. McGrath ended the game with an All-Ireland medal after scoring 1-03 in a 2-29 to 2-20 victory.[28] He ended the season by being named in the left corner-forward position on the All-Star team.[29]

On 23 April 2017, McGrath lined out in his first National League final. He top scored for Tipperary with 0-06 from frees but ended on the losing side following a 3-21 to 0-14 victory for Galway.[30]

McGrath played in a second successive National League final on 8 April 2018. Switched from corner-forward and lining out at left wing-forward, he scored 0-02 from play but ended on the losing side following a 2-23 to 2-17 defeat by Kilkenny.[31]

On 30 June 2019, McGrath lined out at right corner-forward when Tipperary faced Limerick in the Munster final. He scored a 44th-minute goal to bring the sides level, however, he ended the game on the losing side after a 2-26 to 2-14 defeat.[32] On 18 August 2019, McGrath was selected at left corner-forward when Tipperary faced Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. He scored three points from play and ended the game with a second All-Ireland winners' medal following the 3-25 to 0-20 victory.[33] McGrath ended the season by receiving an All-Star nomination.[34]

Personal life

McGrath is the son of Pat McGrath who won an All-Ireland medal with Tipperary in 1989. His brother, Noel McGrath, is a three-time All-Ireland medallist and a current teammate on the Tipperary senior team.[35]

Career statistics
As of match played 21 November 2020.
Team Year National League Munster All-Ireland Total
DivisionAppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScore
Tipperary 2015 Division 1A 30-0700-0000-0030-07
2016 61-3033-0422-04116-38
2017 65-2111-0144-101110-32
2018 71-1440-12—111-26
2019 50-0252-1330-05132-20
2020 42-0911-0020-0073-09
Total 319-83147-30116-195622-132

Honours
Loughmore-Castleiney
University of Limerick
Tipperary
Individual
  • All Star Award (1): 2016
  • Munster GAA Senior Hurler of the Year (1): 2016

References
  1. "Harty Cup final: Back-to-back titles for Dungarvan". Hogan Stand. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  2. O'Toole, Fintan (1 March 2015). "80 minutes and 36 scores in Fitzgibbon Cup final draw as UL and WIT head for replay". The 42. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  3. Hurley, Denis (11 March 2015). "Tony Kelly man-of-the-match as UL celebrate Fitzgibbon Cup final replay win over WIT". The 42. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  4. Cormican, Eoghan (29 February 2016). "Eamonn Cregan hails heroic Mary I". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  5. "UL win sixth Fitzgibbon Cup title against DCU". Breaking News. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  6. Cahill, Jackie (14 October 2013). "Noel McGrath inspires Loughmore rally". Irish Independent. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  7. Brophy, Shane (4 November 2013). "McGrath points way to historic double for Loughmore". Irish Independent. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  8. Cahill, Jackie (3 November 2014). "Thurles Sars back on top in Tipp as they see off Loughmore to win senior hurling title". The 42. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  9. "Tipperary SFC final: Stalemate in Leahy Park". Hogan Stand. 21 December 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  10. Cahill, Jackie (27 December 2014). "Loughmore lift 13th crown". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  11. Kane, Conor (30 October 2016). "Third county senior football title in four years for Loughmore-Castleiney". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  12. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (6 May 2010). "Classy Clare topple Tipp". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  13. O'Toole, Fintan (4 July 2011). "Glory at last for terrific Tipp". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  14. O'Toole, Fintan (19 September 2011). "Slievenamon in full cry as Tipp storm home". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  15. Cahill, Jackie (9 July 2012). "Premier stand up to latest scrutiny". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  16. Hurley, Denis (16 July 2012). "Double delight for Tipp young guns". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  17. "Winters rescues draw for Dublin Minors". Breaking News. 9 September 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  18. "McGrath leads red-hot Tipp to promised land". Irish Independent. 1 October 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  19. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (18 July 2013). "Clinical Premier tear Rebels apart". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  20. Cahill, Jackie (8 August 2013). "Clinical Banner claim back-to-back crowns". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  21. Hurley, Denis (10 April 2014). "Rebels weather storm for four in a row". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  22. O'Toole, Fintan (10 April 2015). "Tipperary hold off Cork in dramatic finale to claim second ever Munster U21 football crown". The 42. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  23. O'Toole, Fintan (2 May 2015). "Tyrone celebrate and heartbreak for Tipperary after dramatic All-Ireland U21 final". The 42. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  24. O'Toole, Fintan (22 February 2015). "Callanan and O'Dwyer hit the net as Tipperary get first league points with win over Galway". The 42. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  25. McGoldrick, Seán (6 March 2012). "Tipperary claim Munster hurling title with tight win over Waterford". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  26. Cahill, Jackie (22 May 2016). "Tipp steamroll dismal Cork without getting out of second gear". The 42. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  27. Breheny, Martin (11 July 2016). "Tipp torrents wash Deise hopes away". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  28. O'Toole, Fintan (4 September 2016). "Stunning Tipperary display clinches All-Ireland and ends Kilkenny three-in-a-row dream". The 42. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  29. O'Toole, Fintan (4 November 2016). "7 from Tipperary and 4 from Kilkenny - the 2016 All-Star hurling team". The 42. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  30. Small, Darragh (23 April 2017). "Clinical Galway leave Tipp reeling in league final". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  31. McGoldrick, Seán (8 April 2018). "Kilkenny whirlwind blows Tipperary away as Brian Cody claims ninth league title". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  32. O'Toole, Fintan (30 June 2019). "More glory for Limerick as they lift Munster crown with 12-point win over Tipperary". The 42. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  33. McGoldrick, Seán (18 August 2019). "Tipperary are All-Ireland champions as Liam Sheedy's men see off 14-man Kilkenny in Croke Park". Irish Independent. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  34. O'Toole, Fintan (26 September 2019). "11 players from Tipperary as 8 counties feature in 2019 All-Star hurling nominations". The 42. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  35. "McGrath boys determined to write new story for Tipp". Irish Independent. 3 September 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
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