Friendly rivalry won't put McGrath off his stride

Tipperary midfielder Shane McGrath knows more than most about his side's opposition this weekend, as Limerick stand between the Premier County and a first All-Ireland SHC final appearance since 2001.

The Ballinahinch clubman lived with Limerick's current man of the moment, Gavin O'Mahony, while in college at Limerick IT.

It was there where he won two Fitzgibbon Cup titles, and such was McGrath's love of Limerick city he decided to broaden his educational horizons and undergo a post-grad at the Mary Immaculate teacher training college.

"I'd know a lot of the Limerick guys personally from going to college and playing against them over the years," McGrath said, ahead of Sunday's semi-final clash.

"Having lived with a few of them in college, the likes of Gavin O'Mahony, I'd know them all very well. We'd all be good old friends off the field, whatever about on the field!

"I know exactly how they felt back in 2007, just from being around Limerick the whole time and the effect it had on the team - it was a huge thing for the county and the fans to get to that All-Ireland final.

"They hadn't contested one since 1996 and it was a great thing to get there."

McGrath made his Senior Championship debut for Tipperary against Limerick in 2006 and was part of an epic three-game saga between Tipperary and Limerick a year later.

Their rivalry will be renewed this weekend with the first ever All-Ireland semi-final meeting of these counties - a prospect which the 24-year-old All-Star says he is eagerly looking forward to.

"It's going to be a very tough game, Limerick have a couple of minors and Under-21s coming through, and we have the four or five lads that were on successful All-Ireland winning minor teams.

"They have been good for us and they are really driving us on. They aren't phased by Croke Park at all and they know what it takes to win All-Irelands.

"Eight years is a long time to be waiting to get to an All-Ireland senior final for a traditionally strong hurling county. It's a huge, driving factor.

"Some of us haven't played in an All-Ireland final, bar at colleges level. We really want to experience that big day, but we'll try and get over Limerick first and see how we do."