Bionic man McGrath calls time on Erne career
October 10, 2013
Fermanagh's Marty McGrath
The St. Joseph's, Ederney clubman was a mainstay of the Fermanagh team since making his debut in 2000, and will go down as one of the best players ever to emerge from the Erne County.
He was also known from his incredible bravery which was saw him come back from two major health scares and a serious head injury he suffered when he was involved in a collision with a JCB, not to mention numerous other injuries he suffered on the field of play.
His troubles started in 2006 when he had to undergo two heart procedures inside six months to correct a cardiac defect. In 2007, he fractured his skull when he was involved in the aforementioned work accident. In 2008 he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, yet delayed his surgery until Fermanagh were knocked out of that year's championship.
The highlight of the former Fermanagh captain's career came in 2004 when he won an All Star award on the back of the Erne County's sensational run to the All-Ireland semi-finals. He has also won a MacRory Cup with St. Michael's College, Enniskillen, an IFC with his club, an All-Ireland B championship with Fermanagh in 2000 and a Railway Cup with Ulster.
In addition, he represented Ireland twice in the International Rules series against Australia. Sadly, McGrath retires without an Ulster SFC medal in his possession, with Fermanagh's defeat to Armagh after a replay in the 2008 final being the closest he came to winning an elusive provincial title.
Current Fermanagh captain Ryan McCluskey has been leading the tributes to the Erne County hero. He tweeted this afternoon: "Would like to wish @MartyMcGrath9 all the best after his retirement from Inter-county Football.Owes the county nothing#topman #legend." Tweet
