TIPPERARY HURLING STAR Noel McGrath has publicly spoken about his testicular cancer battle for the first time.
The Loughmore-Castleiney clubman was diagnosed last April but made a dramatic scoring return to action as a substitute in the epic All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Galway.
McGrath has this evening been announced as an ambassador for Movember foundation, which encourages men to be more open about Men’s Health issues.
“There was good people around me and people helped me big time through it. That Monday evening, I decided to ring Eamon O’Shea, the Tipp manager,” the 24-year-old says. “Obviously, I had to let him know if I wasn’t going to be training the next day or whatever.
“The Tipp county board put out a statement on the Wednesday morning which I suppose it put an end to a lot of people speculating and wondering what this true or not. I didn’t get any phone call or no bother from people; I got hundreds of well wishes and text messages off people wishing me the best and supporting me and I was very grateful for that.”
“There was just a lump on my testicle. It was just very abnormal; it’s something that you would notice very quickly. I knew straight away that there was something not right then.”
McGrath was introduced by O’Shea against Galway last time out and quickly reintroduced himself, scoring what looked like being a crucial point.
“At the back of my mind, I always wanted to try and get back and hurl for Tipp,” he says. “I wanted to hurl for my club Loughmore-Castleiney while at the same time knowing I had to watch myself health-wise first. Watching on, you just want to get out there.
“When Eamon gave me the call to come in, I was just mad to get on and get in and help out try get over the line. I remember being called from the bench, doing a two or three minute warm up up the line. Eamon had a word with me then about where I was going then and what he wanted from me. I just knew I had to get to the far corner. I had to get the whole way across the field and pick up my man.
“At the time I was totally blank and oblivious to what was going on because all I wanted to do was get out and hurl.”
There really should be a weigh in this week between Neil McGee and Aidan O’Shea, gaa missing a trick. That battle will be worth the entrance price on Saturday alone.
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Really hope Mayo leave O’Shea on the edge of the square for the whole game. That’d be some battle for 70 mins. McGee is as physical a full back as you’d come across but I still soon by think he has the physically to match O’Shea. It’ll be some battle
Good player donegal have there work cut out with this fellow
So have Mayo no plans to give Michael Murphy a bit of attention on Saturday.Trying to get into the refs head
All managers play mind game these days. In fairness the bigger players can find it hard to win frees. Michael Murphy another example.
Maybe Donegal should play the Sligo tactics against Mayo. God the regular
losers think they can sinc out a team like Donegal .
Ah sure Mayo have the all ireland won already.
I was talking to a Mayo man who is waiting for the final before going to Croke Park
up donegal.
This stage last year against Armagh Lacey and Murphy and many others had players hanging off them and choking their throats – nowt was done and no black cards.
It’s sad that if 2 marquee players – one a player if the year and one the Irish captain – can’t be protected then what hope is there for the others?
Ah now peter, Donegal are infamous for their cynical play and underhand tactics. When u have the two megees in your team u can’t really complain about getting a hard deal from refs, also murphy is very good at winning frees
Bull. Can’t argue with stats. Best discipline record of the top 6.
McGee is used to standing up to bullies – e.g. Marriage equality.
Next up Mayo boss warns Donegal not to beat them next Saturday!
Shocker!
McGee is an old style full back, no nonsense and plays hard but I think plays fair. Aidan wil face a different animal Sat but I think he will jus shade this battle. c’mon Maigh Eo
He may be old school but can play ball too. Not many full backs venture up the field to pop over points like he does