The GAA Social

Pete McGrath. His life. Down legend


Listen Later

Pete McGrath is a Gaelic football legend. He won Sam Maguire in 1991 & 1994 with his native Down. A lifetime coaching at the great Down/ Armagh nursery St Colman's College, he's coached some of the best players to wear the red and black- from the early days to their biggest. He's had an incredible life. Totally devoted to football, no family, just devotion to faith and Down. He wasn't in the top ten picks for the Down job in the late 80's- but he got the job, on his terms. Success followed.

It wasn't all comfortable. A falling out with players, including All-stars Greg Blaney and James McCartan threatened to derail the Down campaign of 1994.

One of the more interesting elements of the podcast is how McGrath was forced to change when he was Fermanagh manager. Showing humility after being called out. It shows enormous strength. At 71, Pete McGrath is the senior football manager of Aghagallon and the minor manager of his native club Rostrevor. Modern players are different people now, are they less resilient?

In 1994 the UVF burst into a local bar in Loughinisland when the Republic of Ireland were playing in the World Cup. The killed six civilians, wounding five more. Down had an Ulster championship semi-final game the next day. Normality then, seems unthinkable now. It's a remarkable insight into one of the darkest times in our history.

There's the Meath/Down saga from 1991, crossing the border with Sam Maguire, 71 going on 41 and runs in the Mournes to clear the head!

Nothing off-limits. It's the iconic Mourneman Pete McGrath. Down legend. Forever young

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The GAA SocialBy BBC Radio Ulster

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

8 ratings


More shows like The GAA Social

View all
In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,394 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,837 Listeners

Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,904 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,825 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,118 Listeners

World Business Report by BBC World Service

World Business Report

289 Listeners

OTB GAA by OTB Sports

OTB GAA

38 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

2,065 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,054 Listeners

OTB Daily by OTB Sports

OTB Daily

22 Listeners

The Second Captains Podcast by Second Captains

The Second Captains Podcast

179 Listeners

RTÉ GAA Podcast by RTÉ Sport

RTÉ GAA Podcast

25 Listeners

Indo GAA by Irish Independent

Indo GAA

18 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

723 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

2,975 Listeners

Comhrá Le Tomás by Tomás Ó’Sé

Comhrá Le Tomás

6 Listeners

The Tommy, Hector & Laurita Podcast by Mabinóg

The Tommy, Hector & Laurita Podcast

236 Listeners

Crime World by Sunday World

Crime World

259 Listeners

The Football Pod by OTB Sports

The Football Pod

16 Listeners

The Indo Daily by Irish Independent

The Indo Daily

126 Listeners

The Hurling Pod by OTB Sports

The Hurling Pod

8 Listeners

The BelTel by Belfast Telegraph

The BelTel

39 Listeners

Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning by Gold Hat Productions

Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning

74 Listeners

Path to Power by Matt Cooper & Ivan Yates

Path to Power

29 Listeners

Indo Sport by Irish Independent

Indo Sport

47 Listeners