Noel McGrath (born 17 December 1990) is an Irish hurler who plays for Tipperary Senior Championship club Loughmore-Castleiney and at inter-county level with the Tipperary senior hurling team. He usually lines out as at midfield.
Playing career
Our Lady's Secondary School
McGrath first came to prominence as a hurler with Our Lady's Secondary School in Templemore. On 6 December 2006, he scored 1-03 from midfield when Our Lady's Secondary School defeated De La Salle by 1-10 to 2-04 to win the Dean Ryan Cup.
University College Dublin
During his studies at University College Dublin, McGrath joined the university's senior hurling team in his second year. He lined out in several Fitzgibbon Cup campaigns and served as team captain for two years.
Loughmore–Castleiney
McGrath joined the Loughmore–Castleiney club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels, enjoying championship success in the under-21 grade. He joined the club's senior teams as a dual player in 2007.
On 21 October 2007, McGrath was just 16-years-old when he lined out at left wing-forward in the Tipperary Hurling Championship final. He scored six points, including three frees, and collected a winners' medal following the 0-22 to 0-13 defeat of Drom–Inch. McGrath retained his position at left wing-forward for the Munster final against Tulla on 2 December 2012. He ended the game with a winners' medal following the 1-06 to 0-07 victory.
On 7 November 2010, McGrath lined out at left wing-forward when Loughmore–Castleiney faced Aherlow in the Tipperary Football Championship final. He was held scoreless throughout and ended the game on the losing side after a 2-04 to 1-06 defeat.
On 13 October 2013, McGrath lined out at midfield against Nenagh Éire Óg in the Tipperary Hurling Championship final. He ended the game with a second winners' medal following the 1-17 to 1-16 victory. On 3 November 2013, McGrath lined out in his second final of the year when Loughmore–Castleiney faced Aherlow in the Tipperary Football Championship final. He ended the game with a second winners' medal as Loughmore–Castleiney completed an historic double following a 3-10 to 0-09 victory.
McGrath lined out in a second successive Tipperary Hurling Championship final on 2 November 2014. He top scored with five points from left wing-forward in the 2-22 to 3-11 defeat by Thurles Sarsfields. McGrath lined out in a second successive Tipperary Football Championship final on 21 December 2014. He lined out at midfield in the 2-07 to 1-10 draw with Cahir. McGrath retained his position at midfield for the replay on 26 December 2014 and collected a second successive winners' medal following a 0-09 to 2-02 victory.
McGrath lined out in a third Tipperary Football Championship final in four seasons on 30 October 2016. He scored two points from midfield and ended the game with a third winners' medal following a 1-09 to 1-06 defeat of Moyle Rovers.
McGrath completed his second Tipperary double as Loughmore–Castleiney won the Tipperary Senior Football Championship against Clonmel Commercials on 21 November 2021, and then a week later won the Hurling Championship against Thurles Sarsfields. McGrath captained the team against Thurles Sarsfields.
Tipperary
Minor & under-21
McGrath first played for Tipperary as a 15-year-old when he joined the minor team during the 2006 Munster Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 3 May 2006 when he came on as a substitute for Gearóid Ryan in a 2-23 to 3-08 defeat of Limerick. McGrath was again selected on the bench for the Munster final. He was introduced as a substitute for Séamus Hennessy in the 2-20 to 1-15 defeat by Cork. On 3 September 2006, McGrath broke onto the starting fifteen and was named at midfield when Tipperary faced Galway in the All-Ireland final. He ended the game with a winners' medal following the 2-18 to 2-07 victory.
On 8 July 2007, McGrath scored a point from midfield when Tipperary won the Munster Championship following an 0-18 to 1-11 defeat of Cork in the final. On 2 September 2007, he was again selected at midfield for the All-Ireland final against Cork. He scored a point from play and claimed a second successive winners' medal following the 3-14 to 2-11 victory.
McGrath was again eligible for the minor grade for a third and final season in 2008. On 13 July 2008, he scored five points from play when Tipperary suffered a 0-19 to 0-18 defeat by Cork in the Munster final.