SHANE McGRATH HAS retired from inter-county hurling.
McGrath is the third Tipperary player to announce his retirement in the last five days, following on from the decisions of James Woodlock and Conor O’Mahony to also bring their inter-county careers to an end.
The 31-year-old midfielder won one All-Ireland title, five Munster Championships, one National Hurling League and two Allstar awards over the course of his career.
“After over 10 years on the Tipperary senior hurling panel, I have decided that now is the right time to announce my retirement from inter-county hurling. It was a great honour and privilege for me to play with Tipperary and I will greatly miss being involved with the special group of people that is the Tipperary senior hurling panel,” McGrath said.
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“I have many great memories and made many lifelong friendships over the last decade or so. I was fortunate to enjoy some wonderful moments during my career and it was a great honour for me to have been Munster Player of the Year in 2008, to captain Munster and Tipperary and to win two Allstar awards. Most special of course was being part of Tipperary’s All-Ireland winning team in 2010; it was simply unforgettable.
“I want to thank all the players sincerely. While we endured some disappointments, we had so many great times together and we have always been united in our ambition and commitment to bring success to Tipperary. I also want to thank the managers and backroom teams who helped me to fulfil my potential and were very supportive of me, as well as the Tipperary County Board and Supporters Club.
Shane McGrath with the Liam MacCarthy Cup before boarding the train to Thurles after the 2010 All-Ireland win. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
“I come from a small club, Ballinahinch, and it was a great privilege to represent them when I wore the blue and gold. Thanks to everybody there for their unswerving support and loyalty. My parents and family have also been hugely supportive of me and helped me in any way they could — many thanks to all of them. I also want to thank my fiancée, Joanne, and her family for their support and encouragement at all times.
“Finally, I wish Tipperary well for the future. I look forward with optimism to seeing this very talented group of players achieving plenty of success.”
McGrath’s final game for Tipperary was this year’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Galway, which he started before being replaced by Lar Corbett with 14 minutes remaining.
A statement from the Tipperary County Board said: “Tipperary County Board extends its best wishes to Shane McGrath on the announcement of his retirement from the Tipperary senior hurling panel. During his long career, Shane epitomised what it meant to wear the blue and gold of Tipperary by carrying the premier crest in unfailing passion.
“He was the driving force in many of his county’s triumphs, while his flair and skilfulness endeared him to player and supporter alike. A wonderful leader and never afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, Shane’s loyalty and honesty were some of his greatest assets, qualities well recognised by his fellow players and management teams alike.
“Again, Shane was instrumental in Tipperary’s successes over his career and we are very grateful to Shane for his long and dedicated service to the county and we wish him all the best for the future.”
Tipperary lose another one as two-time Allstar announces retirement
SHANE McGRATH HAS retired from inter-county hurling.
McGrath is the third Tipperary player to announce his retirement in the last five days, following on from the decisions of James Woodlock and Conor O’Mahony to also bring their inter-county careers to an end.
The 31-year-old midfielder won one All-Ireland title, five Munster Championships, one National Hurling League and two Allstar awards over the course of his career.
“After over 10 years on the Tipperary senior hurling panel, I have decided that now is the right time to announce my retirement from inter-county hurling. It was a great honour and privilege for me to play with Tipperary and I will greatly miss being involved with the special group of people that is the Tipperary senior hurling panel,” McGrath said.
“I have many great memories and made many lifelong friendships over the last decade or so. I was fortunate to enjoy some wonderful moments during my career and it was a great honour for me to have been Munster Player of the Year in 2008, to captain Munster and Tipperary and to win two Allstar awards. Most special of course was being part of Tipperary’s All-Ireland winning team in 2010; it was simply unforgettable.
“I want to thank all the players sincerely. While we endured some disappointments, we had so many great times together and we have always been united in our ambition and commitment to bring success to Tipperary. I also want to thank the managers and backroom teams who helped me to fulfil my potential and were very supportive of me, as well as the Tipperary County Board and Supporters Club.
“I come from a small club, Ballinahinch, and it was a great privilege to represent them when I wore the blue and gold. Thanks to everybody there for their unswerving support and loyalty. My parents and family have also been hugely supportive of me and helped me in any way they could — many thanks to all of them. I also want to thank my fiancée, Joanne, and her family for their support and encouragement at all times.
“Finally, I wish Tipperary well for the future. I look forward with optimism to seeing this very talented group of players achieving plenty of success.”
McGrath’s final game for Tipperary was this year’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Galway, which he started before being replaced by Lar Corbett with 14 minutes remaining.
A statement from the Tipperary County Board said: “Tipperary County Board extends its best wishes to Shane McGrath on the announcement of his retirement from the Tipperary senior hurling panel. During his long career, Shane epitomised what it meant to wear the blue and gold of Tipperary by carrying the premier crest in unfailing passion.
“He was the driving force in many of his county’s triumphs, while his flair and skilfulness endeared him to player and supporter alike. A wonderful leader and never afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, Shane’s loyalty and honesty were some of his greatest assets, qualities well recognised by his fellow players and management teams alike.
“Again, Shane was instrumental in Tipperary’s successes over his career and we are very grateful to Shane for his long and dedicated service to the county and we wish him all the best for the future.”
We’re a city team so the words ‘townies’ and ‘softies’ are thrown at us a lot
‘All this talk about deserving one, that’s b******t, you have to make it yours’
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