McGrath hungry for ultimate prize

THE sight of inspirational captain Ken McGrath retiring injured in the crucial closing minutes of this rip-roaring Munster semi-final was one that sent Waterford morale plummeting.

Until the rib injury that forced him out of the action, McGrath had given another majestic exhibition of centre-back play at its most resplendent. The Mount Sion man was firmly on course for another man of the match performance to go along with the one he turned in against Clare in the first round.

Following an accidental blow into the side of the chest, his immediate reaction was that he had cracked a rib. His breath was gone, the pain was excruciating and, with the best will in the world, he couldn't remain on the field.