How Loughmore-Castleiney's heroes rebounded to achieve double joy

In 2020, Loughmore-Castleiney had the sympathy of the GAA world, losers of both Tipperary senior finals at the death. That just deepened the admiration for the club in 2021 when they rebounded to win both titles, the same panel of players swapping hurling and football 19 weeks in-a-row. How do they do it? Larry Ryan met some of their heroes, past and present

LEADERS: Loughmore/Castleiney captain Noel McGrath leads his neighbours in the pre-match parade before the Tipperary SHC decider against Thurles Sarsfields at Semple Stadium. Picture: Sportsfile

John McGrath’s days are dragging. “Myself and Brian were at home on the sofa last night and I turned to him at one stage and said, ‘this is the longest evening ever’.”

He wasn’t tired until it was over. The routine of games and recovery and training and games has given way, for a few weeks, to rest. And that makes him a small bit restless.