McGrath injury scare for Tipperary
Prolific young forward John McGrath has emerged as a major injury concern for Tipperary ahead of their Munster SHC quarter-final against Cork on May 22, .
McGrath, younger brother of Noel, is facing a race against time to be fit for the visit of the Rebels after suffering hamstring damage recently.
McGrath, 21, won’t feature for his club Loughmore-Castleiney against Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams next weekend and has a fortnight after that to be ready for the Cork tussle.
Sources have indicated that McGrath aggravated an existing hamstring injury last week and if he’s ruled out, Tipp will be without one of their biggest scoring threats.
In five Allianz League Division 1A outings this year, McGrath posted 1-24 but he reserved his best performance of the campaign for the quarter-final defeat to Clare in Ennis, when he posted six points from play.
John McGrath of Tipperary contests for a high ball against Paul Murphy Kilkenny! pic.twitter.com/ZOCyKqQfvM
— sportsfile (@sportsfile) February 21, 2016
It’s the second year in a row that McGrath, 21, has been struck down by injury at an inopportune time.
A pelvic problem ruled McGrath out of action for the Tipp U21 footballers last year when they won the Munster title but he did return as a substitute for the closing stages of the All-Ireland final defeat to Tyrone in May.
Also in 2015, McGrath made a big impact in his breakthrough Allianz Hurling League games, scoring two points against Galway on his debut before slotting over five against Clare at Cusack Park.
A Fitzgibbon Cup medallist with University of Limerick last year, McGrath had his sights set on making his senior championship debut for Tipperary later in the summer but he played no part in three outings against Limerick, Waterford and Galway.
John McGrath looks like he’ll be a massive plus for Tipperary heading into the summer. Enjoying a good game against Cork so far.
— Kevin O'Brien (@Kevobrien) March 20, 2016
McGrath’s potential absence for the Cork opener would rob Tipp manager Michael Ryan of a huge option up front as the former dual All-Ireland minor medallist is a useful ball-winner as well as a regular scorer.
It’s also understood that another former underage dual star, John Meagher, has withdrawn from the Tipp senior squad to concentrate on club activities with Loughmore-Castleiney for now.
