THE KIERAN SHANNON INTERVIEW: Erne's Quiet Warrior

There’s some band of warriors departing the battlefield these days. The most capped championship hurler ever, Brendan Cummins. The most-capped footballer ever, Tomás Ó Sé. Another raider on the wing, Noel O’Leary. And then up north, Marty McGrath just handed in his shield as well.

McGrath does not have the war trophies the others do — an All Star, a couple of Ulster Player of the Year awards and International Rules caps can be found somewhere in his house outside Irvinestown but no provincial or Celtic Cross medal — yet no one can display more war wounds or warrior spirit.

Months after winning his first All Star, he underwent two open heart surgeries.