Shane McGrath

RTÉ Hurling Analyst

'I wonder is this the time to peak in the league - or is it needed at all?'

Is it time to stop puking and start peaking?

When is the right time to peak for the Allianz Hurling League or is there any need at all? Shane McGrath assesses things ahead of round three.

Hurling • 21 Feb 24

'It's been a great start to be fair, more of the same this weekend please'

Big guns face big questions in the league this weekend

A league that's living up to it's promise so far looks set for a crunch weekend with some big names set to clash and some real jeopardy for the likes of Cork, Kilkenny and Clare.

GAA • 07 Feb 24

'Well done Limerick – we look on with envy but also huge respect and scratch our heads as to finding a way to beat you'

Limerick punctuate a hurling year of highs and lows

Shane McGrath reflects on the highlights and lowlights of the hurling year that was, and one that Limerick ended up dominating.

GAA • 26 Jul 23

'The battle of Huw Lawlor and Aaron Gillane will be worth the drive up alone. The best full-back in the country up against the best inside forward in the country and the front runner for hurler of the year'

Shackling Gillane and O'Donovan key to Cats' hopes

Shane McGrath looks at where the hurling final between Limerick and Kilkenny will be won.

GAA • 23 Jul 23

'Depending on the player you are the week can be the longest ever or the quickest. For those that just want it to happen, we don't want to chat to anyone'

Nursing the good hurl and dodging the energy sappers

No matter how many times you experience running out onto Croke Park on All-Ireland final day, it never gets old or boring, writes Shane McGrath.

GAA • 19 Jul 23

' My son Seán Óg will be five soon and I know I will be showing him videos of TJ in the years to come when he is discussing who he thinks the best player is'

Hidden gems from a weekend of hurling highlights

Shane McGrath picks out some of the the lesser-spotted wonders from a weekend of blockbuster action in the All-Ireland SHC.

GAA • 12 Jul 23

Star billing for quartet on semi-final weekend

Shane McGrath identifies Conor Whelan, Aaron Gillane, Tony Kelly and Eoin Cody as being key to how the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals will unfold at Croke Park.

GAA • 05 Jul 23

'To be brave you must make mistakes, you must understand that not everything will fall into place, but still be confident in the knowing you will be successful in the end'

All-Ireland race down to four, only brave will prevail

We're down to the last four in the race for Liam MacCarthy, but brave calls from the sideline will determine who marches on and who bows out at the penultimate stage, writes Shane McGrath.

Hurling • 28 Jun 23

Tipp and Clare get thumbs up for Limerick colosseum

Shane McGrath expects his native Tipperary and Clare to prevail over Galway and Dublin, respectively, in Saturday's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final double-header at the Gaelic Grounds.

Hurling • 21 Jun 23

Shane McGrath defends the officials based on what he sees as an unfair level of expectation

Championship heats up in the noise of no more chances

Shane McGrath looks back on a special weekend of hurling and the reality of no more secondary opportunities being available to the counties falling short so far in the summer.

GAA • 14 Jun 23