The big interview: Cork footballer Paul McGrath on the Double, Micko's invite to Kerry and Morgan's magic

Paul McGrath of Cork in action against Terry Ferguson of Meath at Croke Park in 1990. Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Cork forward Paul McGrath talks to Éamonn Murphy about the joy of the Double in 1990 and the highs and lows of his career at every level

“Cahalane marked me a lot, as a corner-forward, and he’d get a hold of the jersey and that would be that! Sometimes Tony Davis, Tony Nation or Denis Walsh, but Cahalane most of the time, no one easy to be marked by anyway.”

“Mick O’Dwyer was the trainer. We trained like dogs. His son John O’Dwyer was involved as well, and a very good Sigerson player, he’d tear the head off you. Barry Coffey and Colm O’Neill, John Murphy, a Cork U21 from Passage, Charlie Gilmartin, who played with Mayo, lots of fellas I didn’t know beforehand but super players.

“When I did get to play I was the free-taker, even though I was only 19. That was my break. I’d have to give Bob credit for pushing me.”

“Mick Lyons was a very effective full-back, not dirty, very tough, but you could run him. Terry Ferguson was on me but I tried running across him and Mick Mac was doing the same from the other corner. It kept Mick Lyons busy.”

He's still involved in the club, with Bishopstown's U15s. They'd an enjoyable season in 2019, picking up a trophy along the way and he's confident there's more to come from the group.
