Cormac McGrath is on a mission to win silverware

By Liam Hogan

Cormac McGrath won two North Tipperary Intermediate medals with his club Ballinahinch in 2015 & 2016, two very precious commodities. In the meantime, he took the path of coaching and has successful periods with Kilruane MacDonaghs, leading them to win the 2018 North senior title, while also enjoying a time with Mary Immaculate College in third level. He also helped Dromin-Athlacca win a Limerick Intermediate title.

Templederry came calling in 2020 and his influence has helped them reach the Seamus O Riain Cup final for the first time. He has had a difficult period during the process as injury after injury slowed down progress but with the inclusion of youth has created a great panel.

“We made five senior debutants this year which has been massive and gave us that bit of depth,” McGrath revealed.

“It was important because during the year we had a number of injuries. We had one man in and one man out.”

High scoring has been a feature of their wins, which included a shock win over Roscrea in the opening round of the North Championship. However, their next game against Borris-Ileigh was a disaster.

“That day against Borris-Ileigh there was some constraints and that is not an excuse, but it was three games in nine days,” McGrath explained.

“Borris-Ileigh are a serious outfit be we had gone to the well too often.” His team recovered with opening group stage victories over Newport and Clonakenny but met a stubborn opposition in neighbours Silvermines.

“We were also beaten by Silvermines, but injuries continued to hamper us. Mines were very good that day,” he added

However, they bounced back to easily see off Gortnahoe/Glengoole and Cashel King Cormacs in the knockout stages. In blooding new players Templederry now have six forwards who can score.

“It’s probably always the way with Templederry,” McGrath added.

“They have always been good scorers and this year they are really clicking. We have had some headaches in picking those six forwards and we are blessed in that sense.”

Killenaule stand in their way of a first senior title, a team McGrath is well aware of from his time with Kilruane.

“Killenaule are a seriously good team,” he said.

“During my time with Kilruane MacDonaghs we played them twice. They gave us a lesson in Templetuohy, the year we won the North final in 2018. They were excellent and a really good hurling side. They would see themselves as been a Dan Breen team. They beat Mullinahone in the south final this year a Mullinahone team that could easily be in the Dan Breen semi-final this year. There is no doubt about it, but Killenaule are a serious hurling team.”