Not long ago, John McGrath was unsure of place on Tipp team, now he's hurler of the year

Gong into this season, John McGrath said there was much talk in the Tipperary panel about winning titles. It was about putting pride back in the jersey. 

Tipperary's John McGrath was named hurler of the year on Friday night. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

John McGrath laughs at the madness of it all. Hurler of the Year. Twelve months ago, he wasn’t even sure of his place on the team.

Just like Tipperary, McGrath had been coming off two years of indifferent form but he and his side rose to the occasion. The Loughmore-Castleiney forward scored 7-16 in the championship as Tipperary won their first All-Ireland since 2019.

"There wasn't a whole lot of talk about winning this or winning that," said McGrath about the feeling in the Tipp panel coming into this season. 

"It was just about putting pride back in the Tipperary jersey really. For myself, having not seen a whole lot of game time, it is frustrating, but then again, that is in your own hands too. You've to be doing enough and showing enough to get picked. 

"I think a lot of lads would've looked at themselves. That was probably a big factor. Players and management look into themselves, they looked at their own house. Everybody wanted to improve - to give their best. Where the year took us afterwards, it was very hard to see coming. When things get rolling, a bit of magic can happen."

This was the third season in charge for Liam Cahill and his right-hand man Mikey Bevans. 

"I think the thing they'd have been most unhappy with in the previous two years was, at times, they were probably looking at a team that didn't represent their values or what they were trying to instil in a team," said McGrath.

"I've heard them mention at different stages, that was probably the most pleasing part. They've had a huge influence on us. I don't even know what you'd call the style, but the lads have brought a huge work rate to the teams they had at minor and U21. When you sprinkle in the hurling that will always be in Tipperary players, it just created a brilliant mix."

Tipperary opened their National League campaign with a 12-point victory over Galway at Pearse Stadium. McGrath could see in that game the seeds of the attitude that led to them becoming All-Ireland winners. Tipperary reached the league final but suffered a heavy defeat to Cork. A fortnight later, they drew with Limerick in the opening round of the Munster Championship.

"I think there was probably a lot of doubts, about our team, after that," McGrath said about the league final. 

"People were questioning us as a team and as individuals. I think it was important for lads to show that we were able. 

"We got confidence from that (draw with Limerick) too. You were going up against a serious outfit. If some fellas didn't fully realise, the next thing you realised we can compete here. We'd gone toe to toe with one of the best teams of the last couple of years. You gain huge confidence from that."

Progressing beyond Munster, and defeating Laois in the preliminary quarter-final and Galway in the quarter-final, set up Tipperary's first Croke Park championship appearance in six years. McGrath and Tipp flourished on that stage. He scored 1-2 in the semi-final against Kilkenny, and 2-2 in the final against Cork. 

"The first main goal was to get out of Munster, but in the background, Liam would often have talked about, that if we can get to Croke Park, that was quietly spoken about in the background," said McGrath. 

"It probably freed us up, once we got there. In most people's eyes, in nearly everyone's eyes, by getting to that stage of the championship, we'd overachieved already. In some ways, we were probably free to have a real go at things from there. Nobody expected much of us, outside of our own circle."

Winning another All-Ireland with his brothers to go with his medals from 2016 and 2019 was special for McGrath. 

"It's funny, the three All-Irelands I've won now, Noel has obviously been on the senior team for the three of them and Brian for the last two. Even going back as far as 2016, Brian won the minor final the same day as we won the senior. Not that we're getting used to it or anything, but it is nice to have the three of us there on any day. When you're able to do it with your two brothers, maybe it is just that bit extra special."