John McGrath: Second half of final beyond ‘wildest dreams’ as the Tipperary forward reflects on one of the most extraordinary All-Ireland final performances in recent history. He admits the way their second half unfolded against Cork came as a genuine shock, even to the players themselves, with Tipp outscoring their rivals 3-14 to 0-02 to secure their first All-Ireland title in six years and complete an astonishing turnaround after a difficult campaign.
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A Second-Half Blitz Nobody Saw Coming
McGrath revealed that even after weeks of imagining possible outcomes, nothing came close to the reality of that dramatic second half. He scored two of the three Tipp goals and won the penalty that led to Darragh McCarthy’s decisive strike, turning an already strong position into a match-winning lead. He admitted it was hard to take in the scale of their dominance as everything seemed to fall in Tipp’s favour, while Cork were left frustrated as shots rebounded off the post and crossbar.
Belief Was Always There—but Expectations Were Low
At the beginning of the season, very few believed an All-Ireland title was realistic for a Tipp team still rebuilding after a difficult 2024 campaign. Despite those doubts, McGrath said the squad always had a small spark of belief. The first goal, he explained, was simply to become competitive again. Results over the past few years had been tough to take and players were determined to restore their pride. Once performances began to improve, confidence slowly followed.
McGrath’s Journey Mirrors Tipp’s Revival
McGrath’s own career has followed a similar path of challenge and redemption. He finished the 2025 season as joint top scorer from play, despite having spent the previous years struggling with a serious Achilles injury. Reduced to a substitute role during 2024, he relied heavily on his strong club form to keep his belief alive. That belief was rewarded in this year’s Munster opener against Limerick, where he scored two crucial second-half goals that helped reignite his inter-county form and, in many ways, became the turning point of his season.
Sliding-Doors Moment Against Limerick
McGrath explained that being trusted to start that Limerick match brought a sense of pressure but also opportunity. It became a reminder—to himself and others—of what he was capable of. He admitted that if things had gone differently that day, his season might have taken a very different path. Instead, he used the performance as a springboard and never looked back, helping Tipp go from underdogs to champions in a season that will long be remembered for its dramatic twists and breathtaking finish.
