NOEL MCGRATH IS on course to feature in Tipperary’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final against Galway on Sunday week, 16 August.
The 24-year-old forward underwent surgery on testicular cancer in April and has made significant progress in his recovery since then.
The Loughmore-Castleiney player has lined out for his club recently and is back in full training with the Tipp squad.
And manager Eamon O’Shea stated last night that the 2010 All-Ireland senior medallist is “in the mix” for a place in the team to face the Tribesmen at GAA HQ.
It’s more likely that McGrath will figure from the bench at some stage in proceedings but O’Shea acknowledged that McGrath’s return from illness is a significant boost to the Premier County.
He confirmed: “Noel is progressing well. It’s a serious thing so you just have to wait and see how he goes and what happens.
“He’s been hurling away with us and he has played for his club a couple of times.
“It’s great credit to him in terms of it’s good to get back doing things he likes doing, like any of us.
“I think that’s been the big thing for us, we haven’t been thinking really about the game or competitively or whatever, it may turn out like that hopefully but the big thing was to get him back in an environment where he’s happy. That was the main thing for us. He’s in the mix.”
Defensive bulwark Pádraic Maher, labelled the ‘Dyson Hoover’ by teammate Kieran Bergin, is also on course to be fit in time to face the Westerners.
Maher, 26, damaged the AC joint in his shoulder during the early minutes of the Munster final victory over Waterford but played on for the remainder of the game.
The Thurles Sarsfields clubman left Semple Stadium with his arm in a sling but O’Shea is “hopeful” that his centre back will be fully recovered.
He said: “Pádraic Maher has been injured but we are hopeful he will be okay.
“We’ve had ongoing little minor issues with Michael Cahill and Paddy Stapleton, just little bits and pieces here and there but we’re hopeful that by the middle of next week everybody should be okay.”
Great season for Irish and Leinster rugby. Leinster are in a very special place at the moment in terms of the coaches, players and backing they have. I can see a few more trophies for them in the next couple of seasons for them. Nothing left to say but congratulations.
@Dave Barry: we are a bit behind at the moment but so is everyone else. Well done Leinster
@Dave Barry: cheers Dave. Classy comment. Good man.
What a season!
@Stephan Antuma: A bittersweet day for Leinnster would probably be the best way to describe it
@eric qualen: Rochelle, nothing bitter sweet about it unless you are are a bitter Munster troll.
I hope you enjoyed that as much as you enjoyed Leinster winning a 4th European Cup.
Larmour try was worth admision money. the kick, the pickup, the try. what a season for Leinster.
@Ardmore02: felt he definitely should have been man of the match instead of Sexton.
@Sam Harms: Don’t think so! Brilliance from Larmour for his try. But Jonny Sexton. After that hit to the head, he showed his genius in his kick to touch for Cronin’s try. He pulls the strings! He drives us forward. The man is incredible! Great day though!!!!
@Sam Harms: get a grip, he picked the ball off the ground like he does everyday at training. Sexton on the other hand bossed the game. If you think one moment of magic outweighs a masterclass performance shows what you know!
@blindside: not one moment of magic he made some great tackles during the game too. Lowe was up there in man of the match territory too, he had another great game. Just what I think no need to tell me to get a grip.
@blindside: ah calm down it was a great team performamce. to be honest at half time I was jumping up and down with sextons quick pass to lowe. now that was magic. alot of great performances fro. pro14 and champions cup champions.
@blindside: Sexton was man of the match but Larmour did more than that pick up. He was great defensively and had Halfpenny and Evens shitting it whenever a high ball went up
@Sam Harms: nah I think Sexton deserved MOTM, but that LARMOUR was a try of the championship type moment.
That pick up !!!
Some achievement winning champions cup and pro in the same season. Before they only had the pro final after the European final this time they had to play the pro semi afterwards as well
So happy great day,in the Beggars pinting with Scots
@rugbyanbeer:
You were looking forward to your day. Enjoy