KEN MCGRATH IS going to be back involved in Waterford club hurling next year after being appointed the senior manager of his club Mount Sion for the 2015 season.
McGrath’s appointment was confirmed at the club’s AGM over the weekend and he will be assisted in the position by selectors Jamie O’Meara and Paul Hammond.
The new role is brilliant news for McGrath after he has recovered from a difficult year that saw him undergo a serious heart operation. An Allstar challenge match was held to benefit McGrath in late June when a Munster selection managed by Davy Fitzgerald took on a Leinster selection managed by Brian Cody.
McGrath is one of the most decorated players in Waterford hurling at inter-county level with four Munster senior medals and a National League to his name. He also claimed three Allstar awards in 2002, 2004 and 2007 for his playing exploits.
The former defensive stalwart has coaching experience with Mount Sion underage teams while he also served as a selector in recent years with the Waterford senior hurlers under Michael Ryan.
He will be hoping as a manager to replicate the success he enjoyed at club level with Mount Sion. McGrath won six Waterford senior hurling medals as a player in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006 as well as the 2002 Munster senior club hurling final against Sixmilebridge.
Mount Sion last lifted the Waterford county senior title in 2006 and saw their hopes of winning the championship this year foiled when they lost the final to Ballygunner in October by 13 points.
County seniors Austin Gleeson and Martin O’Neill are some of their leading lights while Stephen Roche won a Fitzgibbon Cup medal with Waterford IT earlier this year. Former Deise seniors Tony Browne and Eoin McGrath also played for Mount Sion this year.
