Shane McGrath

RTÉ Hurling Analyst

'If Clare and Dublin represent a rivalry in the making, the clash of Limerick and Cork is steeped in history'

Limerick and Cork won't hold back in league showpiece

The stage is set for a compelling weekend of hurling as the National League finals bring together four counties looking for success and momentum, all of whom will be eager to send out a message to the rest of the country ahead of the Championship.

Hurling • 7 hrs

'The manager with the most head scratching to do over the coming weeks will be Derek Lyng'

Plenty to ponder after mixed League campaigns

It's been an up and down league, most teams got what was needed out of it and all bar four in Division 1 will be looking to Championship in five or six weeks' time, writes Shane McGrath.

Hurling • 25 Mar

'There is nothing that compares to a competitive game in that window and a league final against Cork would be ideal preparation'

Limerick-Galway clash a semi-final in everything but name

We have come to what is essentially a league semi-final this Saturday night between Limerick and Galway, writes Shane McGrath.

GAA • 18 Mar

'To the clubs, I would say: train hard and smart for a shorter period, rather than soft and reckless for a longer one'

Club game would benefit from its own split season

Shane McGrath argues for a less is more approach in club hurling.

Hurling • 11 Mar

Shane McGrath: 'I am really not trying to down the current game, but rather highlight an area where the spectacle has lost some of its magic'

Has some hurling magic been lost to gym programmes?

Shane McGrath laments that while hurling has never been as fast as it is now, the reduced number of high fielding plays and lack of 'wildness' has resulted in the game losing some of its magic.

Hurling • 04 Mar

Allow the maor foirne to get teams on-message

Last Friday night, I had the honour of being back on the grass in Croke Park, but this time as a member of the UL Fitzgibbon Cup management team.

Hurling • 18 Feb

My own mother once said to me 'Why don't you score as much as Eoin Kelly?'

The role of the performance coach at the top level

Shane McGrath read a very interesting article this week about Gary Keegan, one of the country's most respected performance coaches.

Hurling • 28 Jan

Shane McGrath: 'The next few weeks will roll by and we'll find ourselves talking about players we probably knew very little, if anything about because they are now operating at the top level'

League opportunities take me back to my Limerick lesson

Shane McGrath is looking forward to seeing how the young kids on the hurling block perform in the league and reflects on his own steep learning curve in 2006.

Hurling • 23 Jan

While the Tipp players need the win, for themselves and all they have put into this, Cork have to win this, and if they don't it will be seen as a massive failure

Will Tipperary's hope trump Cork's expectation?

The All-Ireland SHC final is truly the day of days for hurling enthusiasts around the world. However, it's also an occasion that captivates even the most casual sports fan, with its inherent interest and excitement.

Hurling • 17 Jul 25

'I think we will be in for goals and lots of them in the final, and the tactics will not be needed to be drawn up on any software or broken down with moving magnets or iPads'

Old-school hurling wins the day

Shane McGrath, who has just about calmed down, celebrates a weekend of thrilling full-forward play in the All-Ireland SHC.

Hurling • 11 Jul 25