Jamie McGrath and the gradual rise of the pride of Athboy

A graduate of Maynooth University, McGrath was something of a late developer on his unorthodox route to the international stage

SPOT ON: Jamie McGrath earned Ireland’s first penalty for five years in Tuesday’s impressive win over Qatar. Picture: Donall Farmer/PA

Strong Meath accents in sportsmen tend to evoke memories of a golden era for GAA in the county but Jamie McGrath is flying the flag in another code.

Officially, Darragh Lenihan became the first-ever Ireland international from the Royal County three years ago, yet Dunboyne’s proximity to the Dublin border places McGrath in authentic territory.