Shane McGrath says he is honoured to be the new Tipperary hurling captain.

McGrath's appointment was announced over the weekend and the Ballinahinch clubman admits he could have been waiting a while if the old rule - which dictated that captains are selected from the county champions - had applied:

"Eamonn [O'Shea] told me the news on Saturday evening," the Tipp ace tells The Examiner. "He called me aside and I was taken aback at first. I didn't expect it.

"It's a huge honour for me and for my club Ballinahinch. We mightn't be senior champions any time soon so it was a massive thing for me and I'm delighted."

Looking forward to the NHL, which commences against Cork in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday evening, McGrath adds:

"The management can make it a priority but it's down to the players how much we want it.

"There are a lot of lads on that panel like Paudie Maher who don't have a national league medal and I know they're busting to get one.

"I'd love to get another one and when you get a good run in the league it can pick up things."