He's hurler of the year but past disappointments still driving John McGrath

John McGrath and four others missed out on Tipperary's team holiday to South Africa due to club commitments. 

Tipperary Player John McGrath pictured with Oisin Kelly's Mother Sinead and father Brendan at Croke Park to launch the Irish Blood Transfusion Services 'Every Drop Counts ' campaign, inspired by Oisin, the young Carlow hurler who passed away from bone cancer in 2023. Pic: Brian McEvoy

Hurler of the Year John McGrath has insisted that his motivation for 2026 will be very straightforward; to simply play games.

McGrath's second coming in a Tipp jersey was among the hurling highlights of the year, overcoming a couple of injury interrupted years, and a dip in form, to win his third All-Ireland medal.