Noel McGrath (hurler)

Noel McGrath (born 17 December 1990) is an Irish hurler 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 at midfield.

For other people with the same name, see Noel McGrath.

Noel McGrath
Personal information
Irish name Nollaig Mac Craith
Sport Hurling
Position Midfield
Born (1990-12-17) 17 December 1990
Loughmore, County Tipperary, Ireland
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Occupation Account manager
Club(s)
Years Club
2007-present
 Loughmore–Castleiney
Club titles
  Football Hurling
Tipperary titles 4 3
Munster titles 0 1
Colleges(s)
Years College
2009-2010
2010-2014
 Limerick Institute of Technology
University College Dublin
College titles
Fitzgibbon titles 0
Inter-county(ies)*
Years County Apps (scores)
2009-present
 Tipperary 68 (5-177)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 4
All-Irelands 3
NHL 0
All Stars 3
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of match played 28 May 2023.

Playing career

Our Lady's Secondary School

McGrath first came to prominence as a hurler with Our Lady's Secondary School in Templemore. On 6 December 2006, he scored 1-03 from midfield when Our Lady's Secondary School defeated De La Salle by 1-10 to 2-04 to win the Dean Ryan Cup.[1]

University College Dublin

During his studies at University College Dublin, McGrath joined the university's senior hurling team in his second year. He lined out in several Fitzgibbon Cup campaigns and served as team captain for two years.[2]

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 under-21 grade. He joined the club's senior teams as a dual player in 2007.

On 21 October 2007, McGrath was just 16-years-old when he lined out at left wing-forward in the Tipperary Hurling Championship final. He scored six points, including three frees, and collected a winners' medal following the 0-22 to 0-13 defeat of Drom–Inch.[3] McGrath retained his position at left wing-forward for the Munster final against Tulla on 2 December 2012. He ended the game with a winners' medal following the 1-06 to 0-07 victory.[4]

On 7 November 2010, McGrath lined out at left wing-forward when Loughmore–Castleiney faced Aherlow in the Tipperary Football Championship final. He was held scoreless throughout and ended the game on the losing side after a 2-04 to 1-06 defeat.[5]

On 13 October 2013, McGrath lined out at midfield against Nenagh Éire Óg in the Tipperary Hurling Championship final. He ended the game with a second 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 in the Tipperary Football Championship final. He ended the game with a second winners' medal as Loughmore–Castleiney completed an historic double following a 3-10 to 0-09 victory.[7]

McGrath lined out in a second successive Tipperary Hurling Championship final on 2 November 2014. He top scored with five points from left 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 lined out at midfield in the 2-07 to 1-10 draw with Cahir.[9] McGrath retained his position at midfield for 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 two points from midfield and ended the game with a third winners' medal following a 1-09 to 1-06 defeat of Moyle Rovers.[11]

McGrath completed his second Tipperary double as Loughmore–Castleiney won the Tipperary Senior Football Championship against Clonmel Commercials on 21 November 2021, and then a week later won the Hurling Championship against Thurles Sarsfields. McGrath captained the team against Thurles Sarsfields.[12]

Minor & under-21

McGrath first played for Tipperary as a 15-year-old when he joined the minor team during the 2006 Munster Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 3 May 2006 when he came on as a substitute for Gearóid Ryan in a 2-23 to 3-08 defeat of Limerick. McGrath was again selected on the bench for the Munster final. He was introduced as a substitute for Séamus Hennessy in the 2-20 to 1-15 defeat by Cork.[13] On 3 September 2006, McGrath broke onto the starting fifteen and was named at midfield when Tipperary faced Galway in the All-Ireland final. He ended the game with a winners' medal following the 2-18 to 2-07 victory.[14]

On 8 July 2007, McGrath scored a point from midfield when Tipperary won the Munster Championship following an 0-18 to 1-11 defeat of Cork in the final.[15] On 2 September 2007, he was again selected at midfield for the All-Ireland final against Cork. He scored a point from play and claimed a second successive winners' medal following the 3-14 to 2-11 victory.[16]

McGrath was again eligible for the minor grade for a third and final season in 2008. On 13 July 2008, he scored five points from play when Tipperary suffered a 0-19 to 0-18 defeat by Cork in the Munster final.[17]

McGrath was drafted onto the Tippearry under-21 prior to the start of the 2009 Munster Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 3 June 2009 when he scored a point in a 2-22 to 0-25 defeat of Cork.

On 28 July 2010, McGrath won a Munster Championship medal after lining out at midfield in Tipperary's 1-22 to 1-17 defeat of Clare in the final.[18] He retained his position at midfield for the All-Ireland final against Galway on 11 September 2010. McGrath ended the game with an All-Ireland medal following the 5-22 to 0-12 victory.[19]

McGrath was appointed captain of the Tipperary under-21 team for the 2011 Munster Championship. He played his last game in the grade on 15 July 2011 when he captained Tipperary to a 4-19 to 1-21 defeat by Cork.[20]

Senior

McGrath joined the Tipperary senior team in early 2009 in advance of the 2009 National League. He made his first appearance for the team on 14 February 2009 when he came on as a substitute for James Woodlock in the 58th minute of a 2-15 to 0-09 defeat of Cork.[21] On 3 May 2009, McGrath scored 1-05 from right corner-forward in Tipperary's 2-26 to 4-17 extra-time defeat by Kilkenny in the National League final.[22] On 31 May 2009, he made his Munster Championship debut when he scored three points from right wing-forward in a 1-19 to 0-19 defeat of Cork.[23] On 12 July 2009, McGrath started the Munster final at right corner-forward and ended the game with a winners' medal after scoring three points in the 4-14 to 2-16 defeat of Waterford.[24] He was again selected at right corner-forward for the All-Ireland final against Kilkenny on 6 September 2009. McGrath scored two points from play but ended the game on the losing side following a 2-22 to 0-23 defeat.[25] He ended his debut season by being named at right corner-forward on the All-Star team while he was also named Young Hurler of the Year.[26]

On 5 September 2010, McGrath was selected at right corner-forward when Tipperary qualified to play Kilkenny in a second successive All-Ireland final. He was one of two goal-scorers for Tipperary and collected his first All-Ireland medal following a 4-17 to 1-18 victory.[27] McGrath ended the season by winning a second All-Star award.[28]

On 10 July 2011, McGrath won a second Munster Championship medal after scoring two points from right wing-forward in a 7-19 to 0-19 defeat of Waterford in the Munster final.[29] On 4 September 2011, he was selected at centre-forward when Tipperary faced Kilkenny in a third successive All-Ireland final. McGrath scored three points from play but ended the game on the losing side following a 2-17 to 1-16 defeat.[30]

On 15 July 2012, McGrath lined out at left corner-forward when Tipperary qualified to play Waterford in a second successive Munster final. He ended the game with a third winners' medal in four seasons after scoring three points in the 2-17 to 0-16 victory.[31]

On 5 May 2013, McGrath was selected at right wing-forward when Tipperary faced Kilkenny in the National League final. He scored three points from play but ended on the losing side following a 2-17 to 0-20 defeat.[32]

McGrath lined out at right corner-forward in a second successive National League final against Kilkenny on 4 May 2014. He scored five points from play but ended the game on the losing side following a 2-25 to 1-27 defeat.[33] On 7 September 2014, McGrath scored four points from right corner-forward in a 1-28 to 3-22 draw with Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.[34] He was switched to centre-forward for the replay on 27 September 2014, however, he ended the game on the losing side after a 2-17 to 2-14 defeat.[35]

On 15 April 2015, it was revealed that McGrath was to undergo surgery for testicular cancer two days later.[36] He later said: "I knew for two or three weeks that there wasn't something fully right. You're just hoping that you got hit in training or maybe you got a belt but the longer it was there, I knew something wasn't right. Thankfully I got looked after very well."[37] McGrath returned to the Tipperary training panel in June 2015.[38] On 16 August 2015, he received a standing ovation when he came on as a substitute in Tipperary's 0-26 to 3-16 defeat by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.[39] McGrath was named as the 2015 Tipperary Person of the Year by the Tipperary Association Dublin.[40]

McGrath claimed a fourth Munster Championship medal on 10 July 2016 after scoring a point from left wing-forward in a 5-19 to 0-13 defeat of Waterford in the final.[41] On 5 September 2016, he retained his position at left wing-forward for the All-Ireland final against Kilkenny. McGrath scored a point from play and collected a second All-Ireland medal following a 2-29 to 2-20 victory.[42]

On 23 April 2017, McGrath lined out in his fourth National League final. He scored two points from right corner-forward but ended the game on the losing side following a 3-21 to 0-14 victory for Galway.[43]

On 30 June 2019, McGrath scored a point from midfield when Tipperary suffered a 2-26 to 2-14 defeat by Limerick in the Munster final.[44] On 18 August 2019, he was selected at midfield when Tipperary faced Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. McGrath scored two points from play and ended the game with a third All-Ireland winners' medal following the 3-25 to 0-20 victory.[45] He ended the season by receiving his third All-Star award.[46]

In November 2022, McGrath was named as the new Tipperary captain for the 2023 season.[47]

Munster

McGrath was added to the Munster team in advance of the 2012 Railway Cup. He made his first appearance for the team on 9 February 2014 when he scored two points from centre-forward in a 1-18 to 0-16 defeat by Connacht.[48]

On 15 December 2016, McGrath was selected on the bench when Munster faced Leinster in the Railway Cup final. He was introduced as a half-time substitute for Shane Bennett and claimed a Railway Cup medal following the 2-20 to 2-16 victory.[49]

Personal life

McGrath is the son of Pat McGrath who won an All-Ireland medal with Tipperary in 1989. His brother, John, is also an All-Ireland medal winner, and a current teammate on the Tipperary senior team, while his youngest brother, Brian, has also lined out with the Tipperary senior team.[50]

Career statistics

Hurling
As of match played 30 September 2023
Team Year Tipperary Munster All-Ireland Total
AppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScore
Loughmore–Castleiney 2007-08 40-2330-1111-0481-38
2008 30-08——30-08
2009 10-08——10-08
2010 21-05——21-05
2011 11-04——11-04
2012 31-13——31-13
2013 40-2710-09—50-36
2014 70-29——70-29
2015 10-03——10-03
2016 30-10——30-10
2017 40-10——40-10
2018 50-18——50-18
2019 40-20——40-20
2020 60-13——60-13
2021 81-1810-00—91-18
2022 40-17——40-17
2023 50-12——50-12
Career total 654-23850-2011-04715-262

Football
As of match played 2 September 2023
Team Year Tipperary Munster Total
AppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScore
Loughmore–Castleiney 2007 20-00—20-00
2008 20-04—20-04
2009 30-00—30-00
2010 51-04—51-04
2011 10-02—10-02
2012 40-01—40-01
2013 71-1110-0081-11
2014 81-07—81-07
2015 20-00—20-00
2016 51-0310-0061-03
2017 41-02—41-02
2018 50-05—50-05
2019 40-02—40-02
2020 50-01—50-01
2021 60-0110-0170-02
2022 50-05—50-05
2023 30-0130-01
Career total 715-4930-01745-50

Inter-county
As of match played 24 June 2023
Team Year National League Munster All-Ireland Total
DivisionAppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScore
Tipperary 2009 Division 1 61-1430-1321-05112-32
2010 52-0810-0051-10113-18
2011 50-1230-0920-06100-27
2012 Division 1A 61-2331-1010-02102-35
2013 70-1410-0110-0190-16
2014 81-1810-0160-15151-34
2015 51-11—10-0161-12
2016 60-1130-0620-04110-21
2017 82-1210-0340-07132-22
2018 30-0841-09—71-17
2019 60-1151-1130-08141-30
2020 30-0110-0220-0460-07
2021 31-0420-0010-0161-05
2022 Division 1B 30-0540-33—70-38
2023 5 0-05 4 0-13 2 0-02 11 0-18
Career total 799-157363-111322-6614714-334

Honours
Loughmore–Castleiney
Tipperary
Munster
Individual

References
  1. "Our Lady's fulfil Dean Ryan dream". Irish Examiner. 17 December 2006. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  2. Murphy, John (15 February 2012). "Masterful McGrathfires UCD to victory". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  3. Breheny, Martin (22 October 2007). "Sweeney the star player as Loughmore take title". Irish Independent. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  4. "Resolute Loughmore have an extra element". Irish Independent. 3 December 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  5. "Grogan kicks Aherlow to title". Irish Times. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  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. "McGrath the hero as Loughmore–Castleiney do the double". RTE. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  13. "Cork show their mettle when push comes to shove". Irish Times. 26 June 2006. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  14. Cummiskey, Gavin (4 September 2006). "Tipp feast on Galway carcass". Irish Times. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  15. "Tipperary make numbers count". Irish Times. 9 July 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  16. "Carey fires Tipperary to double minor glory". Irish Independent. 3 September 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  17. "Cork's crown as Collins and Farrell strike late". Irish Examiner. 14 July 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
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  19. "Tipperary crown an outstanding week". Irish Times. 13 September 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  20. O'Toole, Fintan (16 July 2011). "Awesome Rebel firepower". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  21. "Lights, cameras, but little action". Irish Examiner. 16 February 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  22. "Hogan goes extra yard of plucky Tipperary". Irish Independent. 4 May 2009. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
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  27. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (6 September 2010). "Thunder and lightning final". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
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  33. O'Rourke, Steve (4 May 2014). "Kilkenny win third Allianz Hurling League in a row with last-gasp win over Tipperary". The 42. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  34. Fogarty, John (8 September 2014). "Game of inches adds up to a thriller". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  35. "Kilkenny too strong for Tipperary in All-Ireland final replay". RTÉ Sport. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  36. O'Rourke, Steve (15 April 2015). "Tipperary's Noel McGrath to undergo surgery for testicular cancer". The 42. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  37. "Noel McGrath: 'I knew something wasn't right'". RTÉ News. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
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  39. "WATCH: Noel McGrath got a hero's welcome at Croker after beating cancer". Irish Examiner. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
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  41. Breheny, Martin (11 July 2016). "Tipp torrents wash Deise hopes away". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
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  43. Small, Darragh (23 April 2017). "Clinical Galway leave Tipp reeling in league final". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
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  47. "Noel McGrath named captain as Tipperary unveil 40-man senior hurling panel for 2023". The 42. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  48. Rooney, Declan (10 February 2014). "Munster reign ended by Tribesmen in disguise". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  49. Cahill, Jackie (16 December 2016). "Shanagher strikes late as Munster take Railway". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  50. "McGrath boys determined to write new story for Tipp". Irish Independent. 3 September 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
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