John McGrath (Westmeath hurler)

John ‘Jobber’ McGrath
Personal information
Irish name	Seán Mac Craith
Sport	Hurling
Position	Forward
Born	Rickardstown, County Westmeath
Club(s)
Years	Club
	Rickardstown
Club titles
Westmeath titles	3
Inter-county(ies)
Years	County
1950-1965	Westmeath
Inter-county titles
Leinster titles	0
All-Irelands	0

John ‘Jobber’ McGrath (1928–1980) was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Rickardstown and with the Westmeath senior inter-county team from 1950 until 1965. McGrath is regarded as one of the greatest players never to have won an All-Ireland medal.

Playing career

Club

McGrath played his club hurling with his local Rickardstown club and enjoyed some success. He won his first senior county title in 1953. McGrath added to his collection in 1959 and 1963 when he captured two more county championship medals. He finished his playing career with Lough Lene Gaels(who were an amalgamation between Collinstown, Fore, Glenidan and Mcgraths club Rickardstown), winning a junior medal with the club in 1973.

Inter-county

McGrath first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with the Westmetah minor hurling team in the 1940s. He had little success in this grade. In 1950 McGrath made his debut for the Westmeath senior team, beginning a fifteen-year inter-county career. During this era he enjoyed minimal success with the county as Westmeath were one of the minnows of the Leinster Championship.

Provincial

McGrath also lined out with Leinster in the inter-provincial hurling competition and enjoyed some success. He won his sole Railway Cup medal in 1956 as Leinster defeated Munster.

Teams

Hurling Team of the Century

All-Ireland winners

Goalkeeper	Tony Reddin

Full-backs	Bobby Rackard Nick O'Donnell John Doyle

Half-backs	Jimmy Finn John Keane Paddy Phelan

Midfielders	Lory Meagher Jack Lynch

Half-forwards	Christy Ring Mick Mackey Jim Langton

Full-forwards	Jimmy Doyle Nicky Rackard Eddie Keher

Non All-Ireland winners

Goalkeeper	Seánie Duggan

Full-backs	Jim Fives Noel Drumgoole John Joe 'Goggles' Doyle

Half-backs	Seán Herbert Seán Stack Colm Doran

Midfielders	Joe Salmon John 'Jobber' McGrath

Half-forwards	Josie Gallagher Martin Quigley Kevin Armstrong

Full-forwards	Jimmy Smyth Christy O'Brien Mick Bermingham

See also: Gaelic football, hurling and camogie positions

References

Corry, Eoghan, The GAA Book of Lists (Hodder Headline Ireland, 2005).

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