Eimear McGrath excited about Tipperary's potential
Pictured at the launch of the championship season with Clubber is Eimear McGrath (Drom-Inch, Tipperary). Clubber is covering live championship matches for 15 county boards this season, with more than 2,000 live matches set to be streamed this year. To find out more, and to get your Clubber subscription, visit clubber.ie
By Cian O'Connell
Eimear McGrath knows that possibilities exist for Tipperary Camogie.
Progress is being made, emerging talent from the county has flourished on the senior inter-county stage recently.
So, Tipperary, beaten by eventual champions Cork in an All-Ireland Semi-Final, aren't that far away. "I don't think so, and I think any of the top four or five teams think they're good enough to win it," McGrath responds.
"I don't think we're any different in that regard. We've had encouraging performances and results over the years to back up that belief.
"We were disappointed to fall at the semi-final stage again, but Cork were a different animal when they came to Championship this year."
Cork set a high standard, but Tipperary are beginning to acquire confidence that they can compete seriously. "They were deserving winners in the end," she adds.
"When you look back on the game, I don't know were we that far off it. We probably let them get too far ahead of us in the first half, they were unbelievable in that first half and we couldn't live with it.
"When we got to the pitch of the game, we showed what we were about, and we weren't too far away. We don't feel we're too far away. We will be raring to go when it comes around to January time, to go again."
Tipperary forward Eimear McGrath in 2026 Camogie Championship action. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Following a cruciate knee ligament injury that restricted McGrath's involvement, the Drom-Inch attacker was delighted to enjoy such a productive campaign with Tipperary. "Definitely so, I missed the whole of last year," she reflects.
"That was really disappointing. It's definitely easier to be playing than to be watching on from the sideline. I was really happy to be able to contribute well all year, to keep my body right. On a personal level, I was pretty satisfied with the year overall."
Was missing out on sport as much a mental challenge as a physical one? "Absolutely, since I was young it's all I've ever known really," McGrath replies.
"I probably had a hectic schedule for the couple of years previous. Looking back that's what got me to where I was. That's just the nature of it.
"You come out of school, you're into playing with your county, playing Ashbourne, all of that. It can get very busy. In a lot of senses maybe the break did me no harm in the long run.
"It's good to get a bit of space from it. Obviously, I was still there and still involved. When you're not playing, it's not as draining. You're disappointed to miss out, but it's a break I'd never have taken only that I had to. It probably rejuvenates you a bit.
"When you get back playing, you appreciate it a little bit more. Not that you didn't appreciate it before, but it probably makes it a bit more enjoyable. You're just happy to be there, contributing to the team."
McGrath certainly did that for the blue and gold in 2026.