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Christy O'Connor: Maestro McGrath conducts the Loughmore orchestra yet again

Noel McGrath and Loughmore-Castliney again underlined their class and experience.

Mon, 13 Oct, 2025 - 07:07

Christy O'Conner is a former top-level goalkeeper turned acclaimed hurling writer, with an intimate and unique understanding of gaelic games.

When Noel McGrath put Loughmore-Castleiney ahead by five points in the 57th minute of Saturday’s Tipperary semi-final against Holycross-Ballycahill, former Tipperary manager Michael Ryan neatly encapsulated how McGrath has long been identified - and cherished - inside and outside of Tipperary. “He’s like a maestro conducting an orchestra,” said Ryan in his RTÉ TV co-commentary.

It was another exquisite performance from the conductor, particularly in the circumstances of McGrath and his wife Aisling having welcomed their baby daughter into the world the previous day. “It’s fairly surreal, but it’s been a great few days,” said McGrath in his TV interview afterwards.

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