Latest news with #McGrath
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘They don't make them like you anymore' hails ex-Ireland star as Paul McGrath & Kevin Moran reunite
TERRY Phelan was among the Irish football fans delighted by a photo of Paul McGrath reuniting with Kevin Moran. Icon McGrath had shared the brilliant photo with his former Ireland centre-half partner to 4 The pair look remarkably good for their age Credit: @paulnumberfive 4 McGrath is the younger of the two at 65 4 While the former Dublin GAA star is 69 4 The early years of Phelan's international career overlapped with both men They've clearly remained close over the years as Back in the here and now, McGrath captioned their most recent snap together: "Great to catch up with an 'old' friend today. He still blames me for getting him sent off in the FA Cup final." Moran did earn the infamous distinction of becoming the first player ever to be dismissed during an FA Cup decider in In the play in question, his fellow Dubliner landed him in deep trouble when McGrath's pass was intercepted at the halfway line. Read More On Irish Football As the last man back, Moran made a desperate sliding tackle to try and win it back but was fractionally late - taking the legs out from under All is mostly forgiven nowadays with the duo grinning from ear to ear in their latest rendezvous. The social media post served as nostalgic gold for Irish football fans - as well as a few former players. Most read in Football 42-times capped Phelan replied: "What a pair of central defenders. "They don't make them like that anymore. I had the great privilege to play alongside them both. Fantastic times." Forest Green Rovers Unveil World's First Fully Vegan Football Kit & Launch Mental Health Initiative Times have of course grown leaner for the Boys in Green since their last World Cup qualification in 2002 and most recent Euros adventure in 2016. Fans will at least learn whether that long wait for another World Cup outing will come to an end before the end of the year as the 2026 tournament qualifiers will be a short, sharp burst from September-November. First up, October 11 and 14 will bring an away tie with Portugal as well as the reverse fixture against Armenia. On November 13 the Aviva Stadium will play host to Like the 1994 edition that Moran and McGrath were at (though the former was a bit-part player at 38 by then), the 2026 competition But unlike its predecessor, the US will be sharing hosting duties this time around with Canada and Mexico owing to the expanded 48-team format.
USA Today
7 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff—Chase McGrath in focus
The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 40 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we look at former USC kicker Chase McGrath. Position: Kicker Years played at USC: 2017-2020 Career highlights: Arriving on campus as a walk-on in 2017, McGrath won the starting kicker job immediately as a true freshman. The first two field goal attempts of McGrath's career were dramatic ones, as he hit the game-tying field goal at the end of regulation and the game-winner in double overtime to take down Texas at the Coliseum. After the season, he was awarded a scholarship. In 2018, McGrath redshirted after suffering a knee injury chasing down a defender after a blocked kick in the third game of the year. He returned from the injury in 2019, hitting a career-high 82.6% of his field goals and earning USC's Special Teams Player of the Year award, in addition to All-Pac-12 honorable mention. Prior to the 2020 season, however, McGrath was beaten out for the starting job by true freshman Parker Lewis. After USC: After losing the starting job at USC, McGrath transferred to Tennessee in 2021. He spent the next two years as the Volunteers starting kicker. In 2022, he hit another iconic game-winning field goal to help Tennessee take down Alabama for the first time in 16 years. In April, McGrath got engaged in the Coliseum to his longtime girlfriend, former USC Song Girl and recruiting staffer Adrianna Robakowski. The two met during McGrath's time playing for the Trojans.
The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Noel McGrath addresses retirement speculation amid joyous scenes at homecoming for Tipperary's All-Ireland heroes
TIPPERARY legend Noel McGrath opted to plead the fifth when it comes to his prospects of landing a fifth All-Ireland SHC medal. McGrath enhanced his status as one of the Premier's all-time greats by taking his tally of Celtic Crosses to four in 2 Semple Stadium was the setting for a joyous homecoming on Monday evening 2 Brothers Brian and John are also part of the Premier panel But the three-time All-Star, who turns 35 in December, is remaining tight-lipped on the likelihood of returning in 2026 to chase one more. Tipp celebrated their wonderful success with Liam MacCarthy On whether he will play for Tipp again at the famous stadium, McGrath said: 'I'd love it but we'll have to wait and see what happens. "I'd love to be able to give it a go and have a rattle off it next year. But we'll go back to the club over the next few months and we'll battle it out against each other there and see what happens.' Read More On GAA Fifteen years since he tasted Liam MacCarthy Cup glory for the first time, McGrath became a four-time winner In the history of Tipp hurling, only 12 men have now won more All-Ireland medals than the 2009 Young Hurler of the Year, who came off the bench and hit the final score to complete the rout of the Rebels. McGrath will soon turn his attention back to club duty as dual champions Loughmore-Castleiney look to defend their county senior hurling and football titles. On the possibility of calling it a day, he said: 'Over the last number of years, at the end of every year, you do think about it. Most read in GAA Hurling "When you're feeling good about it and when you're enjoying it, it's hard to step away. "When you're gone, you're gone. You're not going to come back at my age when it's over. Ronan Maher pays tribute to Dillon Quirke after Tipperary GAA win All-Ireland final 'So I'm delighted I've been able to contribute over the last number of years and especially to be able to be part of it this year. "Who knows into the future? There's no point in me saying here now what I know I'm going to do. "I'd love to stay playing forever but I know that can't happen. We'll see in time.' While Tipp partied in Thurles, the Cork hurlers
The 42
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
Noel McGrath: 'To have my son there was one of the greatest things I could have done'
WHEN NOEL MCGRATH first tasted All-Ireland senior glory, he was a teenager. That was 15 years ago, the youngster firing home a goal as part of a memorable Croke Park day for Tipperary against Kilkenny. On Sunday he was sharing in another magical day for his county, lofting over the last point of the game and claiming his fourth medal. Now he is a father and sharing the aftermath with his son Sam elevated the meaning of this victory. 'To be able to have my son there was one of the greatest things I could have done and I lifted the Liam MacCarthy with him in my arms. 'He's two since March, I have another baby coming in October. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I'd be able to bring him to Croke Park. To win an All-Ireland with him is unreal. 'That will be something that I will remember forever and that I have forever. In time he'll see all the pictures from it, he won't remember it but he'll have them memories and all those pictures. It's special for me to be able to do that with him.' Tipperary's Noel McGrath lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup with his son Sam. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Life off the pitch is busy for McGrath, who works as a territory manager for MSD Animal Health in the Munster area. He turns 35 in December and has been a constant presence in the Tipperary squad since 2009. McGrath has not made any decision on whether he will prolong a glittering career but the question has been one he has had to consider in every off-season of late. 'Over the last number of years, at the end of every year, you do think about it. When you're feeling good about it and when you're enjoying it, it's hard to step away, because when you're gone, you're gone. You're not going to come back at my age, when it's over. 'So I'm delighted I have been able to contribute over the last number of years and especially to be able to be part of it this year. Who knows into the future? There's no point in me saying here now what I know I'm going to do. I'd love to stay playing forever but I know that can't happen. We'll see in time. I'll go back to the club and see how that goes over the next few months. Advertisement 'As I said after the semi-final, it never gets old. As long as you're able to do it and to have days like this, it would keep anyone in good form, and looking to do it again. It's unreal, it's unbelievable.' Tipperary's Noel McGrath celebrates after the game. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO The mental capacity to keep going is key for McGrath. 'You know what, physically-wise, with the way the thing has gone nowadays with S&C, if you're willing to put in the work, you'll get your body right. It's the head more than anything. You have to be willing to get yourself up and to go training every week. That's probably the hardest part – if you're able to do that. And if you're mentally able to do it. 'Because physically, with the way everything has gone, people are keeping themselves fit going to the gym, even if you're not playing sport. But yeah, mentally I've been really, really enjoying it. I never really had that evening where you're dragging yourself out to training. You'd be looking forward to it and that for me is the part that really keeps you going, that you're not feeling it as a drag.' McGrath had a key input in shaping Tipperary's All-Ireland winning campaign but was largely operating in a changed role off the bench. 'Of course, everyone wants to play. I'm no different, I'd love to be starting. But there's 38 lads on our panel that would love to start and you have to trust the management that what they're deciding is the right thing for the team. I go in training and I burst myself every night to be trying to get on that 15. And if you're not on it, you want to be one of the ones that come on. 'To get on the field and to get involved was unreal. To be able to get that score at the end was a great feeling. It was just nice to be part of it.' The McGrath family influence extended beyond Noel. Brian, the youngest of the trio, was also on the panel. John was in sensational attacking form as he fired 2-2 from play and was fouled for the penalty where Darragh McCarthy netted. Tipperary's Brian McGrath, Noel McGrath and John McGrath celebrate with the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO 'He's been very good for us this year,' said Noel. 'He's had a tough few years where he had been on (the team), he wasn't on, he was off. But his club form has been unbelievable, especially in the last five or six (years). I think the whole country is seeing that now, how good he's been over the last six months with Tipperary.' 'That's a big injury (John tore his Achilles in 2022). He got back from it and he's flying fit now again and it's great to see.' The triumph enshrines McGrath's status in the pantheon of Tipperary hurling greats. A fourth All-Ireland medal win places him on a higher tier/ 'It's a nice honour. There's no point in saying that I didn't know that if we won, getting to four was the first time since '65 or '71 that someone has done it. I love hurling and I know a lot about the history of Tipperary so I would have been aware of that. 'Now that's happened, sure it's a great feeling and I'm delighted to be one with four. There's a lot of lads with three and a few with two and more with their first so to be in that category is unreal. 'I'd love to be able to give it a go and have a rattle off it next year again but we'll go back to the club over the next few months and we'll battle it out against each other there and see what happens.' The transformation in the season of team-mate Darragh McCarthy pleased McGrath. Sent-off against Cork in the opening seconds of the Munster championship, he struck 1-13 on Sunday when the teams renewed acquaintances on the biggest stage. 'He's had a tough few weeks and months with different things but his form and his attitude and his mood never really changed. He's one of the most dedicated hurlers you'll find. He's always practising. 'Nobody likes to see that happen to a teammate and he had a tough few weeks and months but he gave an exhibition in an All-Ireland final. 'I have great time for him, he's a lovely young fella and I was delighted that yesterday went the way it did.' *****
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Noel McGrath savours fourth All-Ireland with son in his arms as Tipperary legend reflects on epic 17-season journey
HIS second child is due in October, yet Tipperary's Noel McGrath continues to outrun Father Time. A senior debutant with In 2019, McGrath landed his third All-Ireland SHC medal. Advertisement 2 Noel McGrath and his son celebrate with the Liam MacCarthy cup on Sunday 2 Tipp saw off Cork in Sunday's decider at Croke Park in Dublin Tipp failed to win a Championship game last season, which caused his chances of adding a fourth to appear slim. But, accompanied by his two-year-old son Sam, McGrath made his way back up the steps of the Hogan Stand again on Sunday after the He said: 'I never thought in my wildest dreams that I'd be able to bring him to Croke Park. To win an All-Ireland with him is unreal. 'That will be something that I'll remember forever and that I have forever. Advertisement read more on gaa 'In time, I suppose he'll see all the pictures from it, he won't remember it but he'll have the memories and all those pictures. It's special for me to be able to do that with him.' McGrath became an All-Ireland winner for the first time when Tipperary foiled Kilkenny's five-in-a-row bid in 2010. He also bagged his second All-Star award on the spin. Not bad for a teenager. Speaking at the Grand Hotel in Malahide on the morning after the Premier were crowned champions for the 29th time, the Loughmore-Castleiney stalwart said: 'I was 19 in 2010, just starting college in UCD. 'I suppose it's a long way from college in UCD, it's a different story. But it's great and I love it. Advertisement Most read in GAA Hurling 'And to be able to have my son there yesterday was probably one of the greatest things I could have done and I lifted the Liam MacCarthy with him in my arms.' On a day when his younger brother John played a starring role by firing 2-2, McGrath came off the bench and put the icing on the sweet victory by hitting the Premier County's last point. Liam Cahill speaks to RTE after Tipperary GAA win All-Ireland final He reflected: 'To get on the field and to get involved was unreal. To be able to get that score at the end was a great feeling. It was just nice to be part of it. As I said after the semi-final, it never gets old. 'As long as you're able to do it and to have days like this, it would keep anyone in good form and looking to do it again. It's great, it's unreal, it's unbelievable.' Advertisement After regrouping following a woeful 2024 season, Tipperary also had to atone for a pair of heavy defeats to Cork in this year's Munster SHC and National League final. With that in mind, Sunday's may have been the most satisfying win to date. McGrath said: 'It's hard to know. I'll sit down in a couple of weeks and think it out. Right now it is, because it's in the moment and it's such a great feeling. 'Who knows which is the best one? It's hard to decide which is the best or how one is better than the other. Advertisement 'They're all great. They all have their own different stories and their own different meanings. Yesterday was no different.' McGrath has now been on the go at senior inter-county level for 17 seasons. According to him, if the mind is willing, the body will follow. He explained: 'With the way the thing has gone nowadays with S&C, if you're willing to put in the work, you'll get your body right. "It's the head more than anything. You have to be willing to get yourself up and go training every week. Advertisement That's probably the hardest part — if you're able to do that and if you're mentally able to do it. 'Because physically, with the way everything has gone, people are keeping themselves fit going to the gym, even if you're not playing sport. 'But mentally, I've been really, really enjoying it. I never really had that evening where you're dragging yourself out to training. You'd be looking forward to it and that for me is the part that really keeps you going, that you're not feeling it as a drag. 'I enjoyed every minute of it. And when you have an ending like this, it's hard not to enjoy it as well.' Advertisement The crucial win in Ennis that effectively ended Clare's reign as All-Ireland champions was the only game that McGrath started in this victorious campaign. But on his role as an impact sub, he said: 'Everyone wants to play and I'm no different. "I'd love to be starting. But there are 38 lads on our panel that would love to start and you have to trust the management that what they're deciding is the right thing for the team. "I go in training and burst myself every night to be trying to get on that 15. And if you're not on it, you want to be one of the ones that come on. Advertisement 'I'm no different to anyone else and when I'm 50 years of age, I'll still want to play. 'That's just the nature of it. You just accept that the management make their decisions and that's what you have to go with.' ROLE CALL On Tipp's roll of honour, McGrath has now overtaken many of his contemporaries who were key contributors to his county's success of 2019. Greats such as Séamus Callanan and Pádraic Maher signed off as three-time All-Ireland winners. Advertisement McGrath said: 'There's no point in saying I didn't know that if we won yesterday, getting to four I'd say was the first time since 1965 or '71 that someone has done it. 'I live hurling and I know a lot about the history of Tipperary so I would have been aware of that and now that's happened, it's a great feeling and I'm delighted to be one with four. 'There are a lot of lads with three, a few with two and more with their first now so to be in that category is unreal.'
