Shane McGrath

RTÉ Hurling Analyst

Why the hurling present could be wrapped better

Shane McGrath is backing Limerick and Waterford to pick up wins in Munster this weekend, but expects a couple of intruiging clashes in Leinster.

GAA • 26 Apr 23

Stronger, wiser Clare must compete for Munster honours

Ahead of the start of the provincial hurling championships this weekend, RTÉ GAA analyst Shane McGrath takes a look at the team Brian Lohan is building in his fourth year.

GAA • 19 Apr 23

'My hope is this, that teams were holding something back against Limerick in the league and that there will be a tidal wave of intensity coming in the championship'

Some lessons from league and tips for stopping Limerick

Hurling columnist Shane McGrath looks back on the 2023 league season and offers a few suggestions on how teams might go about stopping the seeming unstoppable Limerick winning machine

GAA • 12 Apr 23

'The vast improvements Kilkenny have made round by round have been impressive to say the least'

I was wrong about Cats but Limerick at another level

Shane McGrath has been impressed with Kilkenny in their first league campaign under Derek Lyng but is not convinced they can reverse the All-Ireland final result in Sunday's Allianz Hurling League final.

Hurling • 05 Apr 23

'The position you are in is not important - what it is vital is knowing your part in the system you are playing'

Do positions even matter anymore in hurling?

Traditional set-ups are a thing of the past as teams adopt ultra flexibility in their quest to keep possession at all costs, writes Shane McGrath.

GAA • 29 Mar 23

"All these things can be the one percent which help teams to win"

In defence of the foreign training camp

As someone who was lucky enough to go on a few of these training camps, I will do my best to break down what actually occurs on these weeks away.

GAA • 22 Mar 23

'Cork have come out on top in every challenge they have faced so far'

Shadow boxing in the spring, knockouts in the summer

The league is so obviously a means to an end for most now as counties build depth and finetune game plans for their main priority: making an impact in the championship.

GAA • 15 Mar 23

'Social media can often be poison after games towards players and teams but in this case I actually feel it could be used for the greater good'

Two types of dives are now prevalent in our games

An inter-county referee someday soon in a profile game is going to have to stand up, be brave and say enough is enough here when it comes to diving, says Shane McGrath.

GAA • 08 Mar 23

"In the 70s, 80s and 90s, how you performed in the league counted massively towards selection"

Acknowledging the individual brilliance of Burke and Co

Standout performances by players during the Allianz Hurling League should be taken into account when picking the All-Stars team later in the year.

GAA • 01 Mar 23

'Picture this – the streets of Tralee thronged with fans, the sun shining, a carnival-like atmosphere everywhere, and it's not even the Rose Festival'

Winning should bring a reward - Kerry's big chance

In his latest column, Shane McGrath rakes over the changes that impact on hurling following this year's GAA Congress and hones in on one change that could see an extra team in the Munster SHC.

GAA • 22 Feb 23