TIPPERARY RECEIVED A significant psychological boost ahead of the Munster senior hurling semi-final against Limerick on 21 June when Noel McGrath attended Tuesday night’s training session.
While major doubts naturally surround McGrath’s availability for the 2015 championship, following recent surgery on testicular cancer, he was well enough to link up with the squad in Thurles on Tuesday evening for a puck-around.
A county board official confirmed that McGrath looked “in great shape” and news of his return to even a limited role with Tipp is another major step forward for the Loughmore-Castleiney star, who attended a Gaelic Players Association event in Dublin last week.
McGrath will not feature against Limerick but could be asked to fulfil a backroom role at the Gaelic Grounds.
An extremely popular figure in the Tipperary dressing room, McGrath’s encouraging recovery will lift the Premier County as they gear up for the game.
Tipp’s main injury concern is 2014 Young Hurler of the Year Cathal Barrett, who injured his shoulder on a warm-weather training camp in Spain in April.
Barrett missed the Allianz Hurling League semi-final defeat to Waterford and it is understood that the Holycross-Ballycahill player has not yet returned to full contact work.
