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

10 ratings


More shows like The GAA Social

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,913 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,067 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,576 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,808 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,729 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,018 Listeners

OTB GAA by OTB Sports

OTB GAA

45 Listeners

The Second Captains Podcast by Second Captains

The Second Captains Podcast

183 Listeners

The Last Word with Matt Cooper by Today FM

The Last Word with Matt Cooper

60 Listeners

Indo GAA by Irish Independent

Indo GAA

28 Listeners

RTÉ GAA Podcast by RTÉ Sport

RTÉ GAA Podcast

29 Listeners

The Left Wing by Irish Independent

The Left Wing

59 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,245 Listeners

The Missing Cryptoqueen by BBC Sounds

The Missing Cryptoqueen

1,024 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

779 Listeners

The Bomb by BBC World Service

The Bomb

1,010 Listeners

The Tommy, Hector & Laurita Podcast by Mabinóg

The Tommy, Hector & Laurita Podcast

239 Listeners

Crime World by Crime World

Crime World

261 Listeners

The Mario Rosenstock Podcast by Mario Rosenstock

The Mario Rosenstock Podcast

23 Listeners

The Football Pod by OTB Sports

The Football Pod

18 Listeners

The Indo Daily by Irish Independent

The Indo Daily

109 Listeners

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

Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning

75 Listeners

Path to Power by Matt Cooper

Path to Power

23 Listeners

The BelTel by Belfast Telegraph

The BelTel

40 Listeners

Indo Sport by Irish Independent

Indo Sport

53 Listeners