McGrath embraces extra challenge of defending under new rules

By Kevin Egan

“Know the signs! Is your child more interested in biting things, than playing hurling? Do they like hurting small animals? If so, they may already be… a corner back”

Some readers will recognise the ‘Two Johnnies’ skit above, but as with all things comedic, it’s only funny because an element of it rings true. Áine McGrath doesn’t quite fit the stereotype however, on or off the pitch. “I do know that we have a reputation for being a bit tough because no one’s looking at you in the corner, but no, I do think that I like to play fair!” she says. And while you could say, ‘well, they all say that’, her impressive record when it comes to avoiding the concession of frees and cards bears that out.

Then there’s the analytical side of the young St Brigid’s player. Soon to embark on a Masters in Economics, she has a wide range of fascinating and insightful takes on the economics of sport, the contribution of sport to wider society and how public policy shapes that contribution. And it’s no surprise then that when it comes to football, she’s like any experienced economist – aware of how each individual contribution feeds into the overall macro picture, while being influenced by the wider context, which in this case, is the new rules that have come into ladies’ football for 2026.

“It has changed the game for everyone, and certainly for backs, but I think it’s a positive, it asks different questions of everyone, in every position,” is her assessment.

“The ‘solo and go’ is great because you can’t switch off, there’s always a chance that something could happen quickly, but the breach is also something you have to watch closely. You might think you have a chance to run forward but you have to be sure you’re not leaving too few players back, and then you can’t just leave no forward up and bring everyone back anymore, so when that happens, particularly if you lose the ball and there’s a kick pass,, you are more exposed.

“There’s more one v ones and there’s more space, but I like it like that, it’s more of a challenge.”

Once upon a time, the traditional corner backs – the ones referred to by the Two Johnnies above – would have had palpitations at the idea of going into Croke Park facing possible one-on-one battles with opposing corner forwards, but McGrath is more than happy to embrace that test, when it comes her way.

“Our game plan is obviously to get back most of the time and like block up the middle, but I do think that I would back myself on a one-on-one.”

Even if it’s the last play, game on the line? “I would hope to not be in that position, but I’d hope that I’d rise to the challenge if I was. But throughout the game, that’s what I want. I want to do my job. I want to get those blocks, get those turnovers and be able to deliver the ball to the forwards who then I can trust that they’ll put it over the bar.”

Tackling corner forwards, tackling corner back stereotypes, all at the same time. Fermanagh attackers and all of Ireland’s big consultancy firms will have Áine McGrath’s name circled and underlined as one to watch.