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2 weeks ago | 
rte.ie | Shane Mcgrath
As I cycled my bike across Limerick city on Saturday evening the atmosphere could be sensed a couple of kilometers from the Gaelic Grounds. Drawing closer to the stadium it was easier to dismount and walk in along with the moving sea of green and red. I parked the bike up safely near a house of God and as I walked down the Ennis Road the flashing blue lights could be seen in the distance followed by a team bus.
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2 weeks ago | 
extra.ie | Shane Mcgrath
In keeping with the martial tone of the evening’s action, and with the treatment of the Munster Championship generally as an immortal battle between two great forces, Pat Ryan deployed the language of combat in the Gaelic Grounds. In this instance it was fitting, because Cork came to Limerick with a clear idea of how to win on Saturday night.
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3 weeks ago | 
extra.ie | Shane Mcgrath
Sideline cool has been the hallmark of Dublin leaders in the years of plenty. Pat Gilroy was animated in starting the revolution, but Jim Gavin, whatever his demeanour behind the walls of the training ground, was in public the Zen face of the greatest team in Irish sport. Today's top videos STORY CONTINUES BELOW This was most famously shown during a League game in Tralee in early 2019.
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3 weeks ago | 
rte.ie | Shane Mcgrath
Seven in a row, in any context, in any walk of life, in any competition it is an unbelievable achievement, demonstrating exceptional consistency and dominance, and in the Munster Hurling Championship these days it would seem near impossible. But here we are talking about it potentially happening on Saturday evening in the TUS Gaelic Grounds. Tickets are harder to get than an All-Ireland hurling final, such is the attraction of this for all fans far and wide.
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3 weeks ago | 
extra.ie | Shane Mcgrath
When we speak of volunteering in sport, we use the language of sacrifice. People ‘give up’ their ‘free time’, as if surrendering something precious out of duty. But for most people, it’s not like that. Their assistance isn’t offered under sufferance, but governed by more emotional impulses. Love, rather than sacrifice, explains their involvement.
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4 weeks ago | 
extra.ie | Shane Mcgrath
Double Olympic champion Fintan McCarthy will on Friday morning continue his bid to become a three-time European winner, after securing his place in the semi-finals of the double sculls at the championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Alongside team-mate Konan Pazzaia, McCarthy took the first significant step in a heavyweight race, and the pair eased to second place to secure their place in today’s race.
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4 weeks ago | 
extra.ie | Shane Mcgrath
For a calm man with a studied demeanour, Malachy O’Rourke has a long record of explosive impacts. The roll-call of achievements from his first season in a job is staggeringly good. In 2008, he led his native Fermanagh to their first Ulster final in 26 years, and they only lost to Armagh after a replay. Today's top videos STORY CONTINUES BELOW In 2013, his debut season in charge of Monaghan brought their first Ulster title in 28 years.
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1 month ago | 
rte.ie | Shane Mcgrath
As I sat in the Ardán Ó Riain stand in Semple Stadium last Sunday after the final whistle, Tipperary fans all around me were soaking in a first championship hurling win in Thurles in six years. Bruce Springsteen's 'Glory Days' was blaring out over the speakers, the sun was shining and all was well in the world of Tipperary hurling. Our Under-20s had been crowned Munster champions a few days previously and are now looking forward to an All-Ireland final in two weeks.
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1 month ago | 
extra.ie | Shane Mcgrath
Time was that Kerry used to fear emerging from Munster untested. Their near-absolute control of the provincial championship — they have won 14 of 16 titles since 2010 — caused anxiety about entering the All-Ireland series without their team being properly stressed. The dilemma is of a different order this summer. Their match with Roscommon in Fitzgerald Stadium tomorrow afternoon is the first of the group stages, and it is also likely to be the first step in a trouble-free stroll for Kerry.
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1 month ago | 
rte.ie | Shane Mcgrath
As I sat to write this piece I was not entirely sure what to focus on this week. Should it be the season defining game in Thurles between two teams both trying to just stay in the competition and see where the road takes them? Perhaps I should look towards Nowlan Park where a team from the capital are coming, full of confidence, full of hope that they could overturn the Cats in their own back yard and cement a place in the Leinster final by doing so.
