Noel McGrath in control against Laois

Laois were never going to be a cakewalk - McGrath

 

By Shane Brophy

 

Despite a far from fluid performance, Noel McGrath was keen to take the positives from Sunday's All Ireland quarter final win over Laois.

I suppose we are happy,” admitted the midfielder who contributed three points from play and also played a sublime pass for Seamus Callanan's 16th minute goal.

We're back in an All-Ireland semi-final. We haven't been here in nearly two years and we got a win in Croke Park. Any day you come to Dublin and win is a good day.

There were some good things out there on the field today and some things we need to work on. That's the joys of sport, we get another day to go at it again. We have a big two weeks coming up so we will be looking forward to it.”

The final margin of then points was a little harsh on Laois considering the competitive nature of the contest, even when the Leix county men were reduced to fourteen men just two minutes into the second half when Aaron Dunphy was sent off for an off the ball swipe at Padraic Maher.

However, McGrath rejected the assertion that Tipperary didn't give Laois the respect they deserved.

I don't know did people think it was going to be a cakewalk here for Tipp today. That's not how hurling works,” he said.

 

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