John McGrath’s new sideline technique is something else

Those rolex wrists are at it again.

Ireland's senior shinty team suffered a disappointing loss to Scotland in Inverness on Saturday, losing by three points on a scoreline of 2-12 to 0-15. Watching the Irish hurlers playing shinty is one of the most frustrating exercises, because you know that were they allowed to put ball in hand, they would be ripping these Scots a new one. The Scottish lads have mastered the art of sweeping, hockey style moves, however, and the Irish team just weren't crisp enough as a unit to trump this one-dimensional game. Some Irish lads showed that they don't need the ball in hand to showcase their skills, none-more-so than Tipperary's John McGrath. The Loughmore-Castleiney club man is famed, along with older brother Noel, for having the silkiest pair of hands in hurling. He makes the game look ridiculously easy with his flowing wrists, his graceful movement and his deadly striking of the ball. McGrath is a freestyle hurler. It seems he can do what he wants with the ball, manipulating it to his wishes with that killer first touch. On Saturday, it was no different as he flicked, tricked and slalomed his way through the Scottish backline, eventually notching three points, one of which was a sideline. No ordinary sideline. With one step, a flick of those famous wrists, and a glorious follow through, the line ball arrowed deliciously over the black spot from about 45 metres. We are used to seeing our sidelines being taken with a 2/3 metre run up, a high swing, and a maintained posture as the taker transitions from high to low. This is the technique practiced by Cork's Mark Coleman, which reaped huge dividends for him this summer. Now take a look at the difference in John McGrath's methods. Standing leg (Right one) stays planted as he brings his left leg forward in a genuflect type motion before coming down to meet the ball. His backswing doesn't come too high, nowhere near as high as Coleman's, anyway. It's all in control, all in one motion. His standing leg drops down as he lowers his body to meet the ball. The famous wrists are swinging, and rotating, generating some power on the way. PING. Sit back and admire. Pics: Screenshots from TG4 seinnteoir. Beautiful. It goes to show, you don't have to over-complicate your sidelines. One of McGrath's feet stayed planted the whole time. One small step for John McGrath, one giant leap for sideline techniques.