McGrath flourishes on centre stage

SHANE McGRATH could empathise with the shattered Waterford players at the final whistle of yesterday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final in Croke Park.

Two years ago the Tipperary midfielder had walked off the pitch after the Déise pipped them by two points at the same stage and deprived them of an appearance in the September showpiece.

Yesterday, Tipperary turned matters around in their favour and ensured they will line up in opposition to Kilkenny on September 5. McGrath felt the experience absorbed from that 2008 loss was beneficial in emerging from a bruising encounter.

“It was one of the hardest we had in a while and was fierce hard-hitting. We came up two years ago against this team and they blew us away, really. But the bit of experience helped. But, in all fairness, all the Waterford boys shook hands with us coming off the pitch and wished us the best in the final. We know how they feel, we’ve often come down out of here with no win. So we’re delighted to be in an All-Ireland final.”

A key factor in ensuring it was Tipperary who reached the decider was the formation they set out in the middle third. Waterford’s practice of clogging that sector with bodies has paid dividend already this summer, particularly in the form of their Munster final triumph against Cork.

Yesterday Tipperary frustrated them in that respect and players like Michael Brick Walsh, who has been in imperious form this summer, were not allowed to exert the same influence on the action.

“In fairness to Brick Walsh, he has a magnet on that hurley. Every time he puts his hurley up, the ball comes down with it and that’s very hard to counteract. We had a good chat in training with the half-back line and it worked out fairly well. A few times their half-forward line went deep, but our lads sat and it’s good that our backs had the confidence in us to pick up their men.”

McGrath looked a satisfied player yesterday as he performed in the midfield area. It is the position that he is most accustomed to and where he has honed his reputation on the inter-county stage. But this summer the Ballinahinch man has been featuring at centre-forward as Tipperary sought to solve what has been a problematic position.

Yesterday McGrath was shifted back to his natural midfield berth and flourished accordingly.

“I’m delighted. Liam and the lads go on who is doing well on training. I’m happy to be out there, it’s where I feel most comfortable, but I don’t care where they ask me to play. I’ll play in goal if I’m asked. I was back there with Brendan, he’s been one of the hurlers of the year so far and we were up against two of the best midfielders around today and I thought we fared out okay.

“They got a couple of points off us but Shane O’Sullivan and Richie Foley are going to be All-Star nominees and rightly so. We’re just glad to have the win.”