McGrath stops short of announcing retirement
11 June 1997
McGrath Interview
with Tom Kelly
Paul McGrath, Ireland's most capped player, has stopped short of announcing his retirement from international football.
During a visit to Castlebar to perform the official opening of the new Homemaker premises at the old Hat Factory, Newport Road, McGrath said he did not think he would get the opportunity of playing for his country again.
He said:
"The young players which have been introduced to the squad by manager Mick McCarthy have been doing very well. I think I will leave it in their capable hands. I am sure they will get us success before too long."
McGrath gave credit to McCarthy for 'sorting out' Ireland's system of play, a system which other sides had begun to figure out towards the end of Jack Charlton's reign as manager.
"We needed to change our style and Mick McCarthy recognised that straight away. I think the changes he made are now beginning to work. McCarthy will do a good job for Ireland."
McGrath revealed he had no interest in management once his playing career came to an end.
"I find it hard to manage myself never mind 22 or so others. I will probably make a clean break from the game when I retire, although I would love to get involved in coaching young players."
The former Manchester United, Aston Villa and Derby County star said he was considering moving back to live in Ireland when his career was over.
"My heart is still very much in Ireland and I have thought about moving back home."
In the meantime, he hopes to continue playing in England for another two seasons.
"I don't mind moving down a division if I have to. There are a number of offers on the table which I am considering at the moment. Naturally I would love another season in the Premiership if I could get it."
McGrath described life as a professional footballer as 'quiet boring.'
"When I finish training, which is not very often at the moment, I return home for a couple of hours and wait for my four boys to come from school. The day is really hectic after that, as you can imagine.
"I have enjoyed my career. I felt very privileged."
He revealed when he first signed for Manchester United in the mid-eighties, he found it very hard to cope with the full-time training.
"I was training with players who had been full-time since the age of 15. It took me a long time to adjust."
McGrath pinpointed the 1-0 victory over England in the 1988 European Championships in Germany as the high point of his international career.
"I think we even shocked ourselves by beating them."
McGrath, a gentleman to his fingertips, sat for almost two hours in the Homemaker Shop signing autographs and having his picture taken with people of all ages. Ironically, the site on which the shop stands was a former soccer pitch known as Lake Lawn. It was used by the British military for games back in the 1880s.
There are also a number of strong football links with the old Hat Factory which was build on the site in 1939. One of the products manufactured at the plant were international soccer caps for the Football Association of Ireland at the request of Pat Quigley, now the president of the organisation.
Several members of the factory staff had football connections, including Tom Ketterick, a founder member of the Mayo Association Football League.
In performing the official opening, McGrath congratulated Paddy and Maureen McGuinness and family on their business initiative and encouraged the people of the community to support them.
Paddy McGuinness thanked McGrath for his attendance and said he was privileged to have a international sportsman of such stature performing the opening of his shop.
He thanked everybody involved in refurbishing the premises and paid a special tribute to his family and staff.
