By Cian O’Connell

Since 2009 Noel McGrath has been on the inter-county beat for Tipperary. The proud Loughmore-Castleiney clubman knows that things can change quickly when momentum is generated.

Defeat to Waterford at FBD Semple Stadium in the last round ensured Tipperary didn’t advance to the Munster SHC decider. To remain involved in the All-Ireland series, though, matters deeply with Saturday’s preliminary quarter-final against Offaly at Glenisk O’Connor Park the next assignment for Liam Cahill’s evolving team.

“The Munster Final is a great day to be involved in, and we would love to have been involved in it, but we weren't - every day you go out, you have to be on,” McGrath says.

“We barely got through in Munster, just by the skin of our teeth. That last day in the Munster Championship was crazy.

“We were disappointed, like every team that wasn't in the Munster Final, but at the same time we came out of the group in Munster. We are in the All-Ireland series now, all we can do now is look forward, and hopefully we can get back on track again.”

Cahill’s combination of purpose and passion means something is stirring once more in Tipperary. Emerging players are delivering for the blue and gold outfit with McGrath hugely optimistic about the future. “A lot of new players have come in, they have got a lot of game time between league and championship so far,” he says.

“I suppose that is what the team needed. We had a disappointing year or two leading into this year. New players were needed to freshen the thing up, new management came in with new ideas.

“That is what you need. Every county has it at different stages, where they get a group of lads coming in new and they just take to it. Thankfully a lot of lads that have come into it this year have taken to it well, they are pushing hard for places. That is great to see.

“It has been encouraging so far. The end of the Munster Championship was disappointing, the Waterford match, when we had a chance to get to a Munster Final, and we didn't take it. Waterford were much better than us on the day.

“So we've regrouped over the last few weeks, we are in knockout hurling now. If you are not on any day you go out, you are going to be in trouble. That starts with Offaly this weekend. In knockout hurling you have to be ready every day you go out.”

McGrath is relishing the fact that so many newcomers are ready, willing, and able to perform for Tipperary. “It is unreal, the lads coming in are like a breath of fresh air,” McGrath says. “Going training everybody is in good form, you are looking forward to training, you are looking forward to matches.

“That is what it is about at this time of the year - you want to enjoy it. That is what we have been doing all year - between league and championship. We've had some decent results, we've had some poor results too.

“It has been up and down, but overall we have moved forward from last year a bit. Considering we didn't get out of Munster last year, this year we are out of Munster. That would have been an aim at the start of the year, to be in that top three.

“Every team that is left knows they have to take each game as it comes because if you're not on, you are at home on the couch for the rest of the summer when you're beaten.”

During a decorated career McGrath has claimed three All-Ireland SHC medals, and his appreciation for the Tipperary jersey remains undiminished. “I love playing hurling, I love playing with my club and playing with Tipperary,” McGrath responds.

“I enjoy the fact that you have a lot of new lads in this year, I didn't know some of them before the year started. You'd know who they are, but you don't know their personalities.

“It is great getting to know them, you are bouncing off their energy and enthusiasm. That is what keeps you going, I just really love playing and training; challenging yourself two, three, four times a week - in the gym or on the pitch. I'm enjoying it, I know I've less years ahead than I've had so far.

“So you try to enjoy every minute of it, every time you get to play because when you get to my age you don't know how long more you get at it. As long as I'm fit and able, and as long as I'm wanted I will stick at it. I just enjoy it and love it so much.”