Ken Mcgrath

Sorry if this is off topic but i was reading on the Examiner today that Ken Mcgrath's sports shop in Waterford is to close. Sad news that great players such as himself are feeling the pinch in these recessionary times.

http://www.examiner.ie/sport/gaa/mcgrath-set-to-shut-up-shop-164485.html

McGrath set to shut up shop

By John Murphy

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

WATERFORD hurling legend Ken McGrath has confirmed he is to close his sports shop in the city.

‘Ken McGrath Sports’ in Georges Street will shut its doors for the final time in the coming weeks after four years in business.

McGrath said: "I’ve just become the latest victim of these recessionary times. Sadly Waterford has been hit really hard by the recession and it has been getting more difficult all the time to keep going. The money just is not there right now. My decision to close down has been a very difficult and painful one to take but such has been the severity of the impact on Waterford’s retail business that I have been left without any other choice."

McGrath is unsure what the future holds. "I have to concentrate all my energies into getting new employment and providing for my family," he said.

Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/sport/gaa/mcgrath-set-to-shut-up-shop-164485.html#ixzz1VKRC0FPt

ShamoBuc

Sad to see things like that happen but unfortunately he's hardly alone. Couple of members of the Cork football team are unemployed aswell. There was a time when you would say no intercounty player was unemployed. Banks, insurance companies or brewaries were great employers of players but things have unfortunately changed.

flahavaj

Tough on Ken alright but as Shamo said he is not alone in this. If anything inter county GAA stars probably have an advantage over your regular member of the public in trying to find employment, simply for their profile. He's also gotten a few media gigs over the seaosn so he'll get a few bob from that too.

lovelypoint

Tough break alright, but one would hope a career of service to the county hurlers would give him opportunity to get back on his feet, if not utilise the skills and experiences such a stalwart of the game has developed over a glittering county career.

I would agree that the intercounty stars maybe have more doors opened for them then your regular Joe.

I wish him well in whatever he does. Could see him becoming a SG pundit in the future. Who knows

adrian522

Deleted User wrote: »

I would agree that the intercounty stars maybe have more doors opened for them then your regular Joe.

I wish him well in whatever he does. Could see him becoming a SG pundit in the future. Who knows

I think he has too much knowledge of the game for that

Real River Rock

As a Cork man I have to say that Ken McGrath would have walked onto the Cork team when they won the 04 & 05 All Ireland titles..

All Ireland medal or not he will always be remembered as one of the best hurlers since the mid 90's... pure talent and a great team player... took the hard knocks and got on with it..... I was in Croke park in 08 when he caught a ball vs Cork coming over his shoulder as he was running towards his own goal... It was special.

I am sad to hear that he has to close his sports shop and it just shows if a former hurling hero in Waterford is stuggling to do business, then what about the normal Joe...
The GAA should employ him as a coach at grass roots level in Waterford and let him coach kids and teach them the basic skills and he would excel at doing something he loves.................. I wish him all of the best.................

Deise Tom

The G.A.A. and the GPA should be doing more to try and help its members to gain some sort of employment. I am sure that there is a number of Inter county players not out of work. Maybe they could try and get them into coaching, and into the schools. I know that they already have coaches going into them, but if they had inter county players or former inter county players who would be known to the children it would help them develop much more.

Mountainlad

Deise Tom wrote: »

The G.A.A. and the GPA should be doing more to try and help its members to gain some sort of employment. I am sure that there is a number of Inter county players not out of work. Maybe they could try and get them into coaching, and into the schools. I know that they already have coaches going into them, but if they had inter county players or former inter county players who would be known to the children it would help them develop much more.

Heard that there was 7 or 8 of the Tipp panel unemployed earlier in the year. Subsequently, Corbett opened a bar but dunno about the rest.

Deise Tom

Mountainlad wrote: »

Heard that there was 7 or 8 of the Tipp panel unemployed earlier in the year. Subsequently, Corbett opened a bar but dunno about the rest.

I know there was a committee set up in Waterford to help inter county players out of work. I would love to know how successful or otherwise it was. Have heard nothing in a while. I did see an ad or two in some programmes for those that were self employed and trying to generate support/advertising for their buisness.

Connorzee

i read recently that Joe Canning and his brother, ivan i think?, started up a hurley making business together.