McGrath set for 15th cap in Canada

If Jamie McGrath is selected for the Republic of Ireland for their clash with Canada in Montreal this Saturday he will win his 15th senior cap. It would be quite a milestone for the Athboy man - and complete a truly eventful season for him when he was a protagonist in a genuine drama.

So often football across the water can be over-hyped to such an extent that it bears little resemblance to reality - especially in England.

The race for 2025/'26 Scottish Premiership title will be remembered as one of most extraordinary, most genuinely gripping - and Jamie McGrath had his part to play in generating some of that drama.

For instance last February he played his part as Hibernians defeated Celtic 2-1 in Parkhead. It looked at that stage as if that defeat had delivered a mortal blow to Celtic's already precarious title hopes with the long-term leaders Hearts looking the most likely to step into the winners' enclosure.

That day in Parkhead, the Athboy man was involved in an jostling incident that resulted in Celtic centre-back Auston Trusty getting red carded when the sides were level at 1-1. The moment constituted a turning point, if there ever was one, in the tight, tense contest.

In May Hibs hosted Celtic. This time McGrath was sent off for a tackle on Celtic defender and Canadian international Alistair Johnson after intervention by VAR. Celtic went on to win the game as they mounted a late surge. Martin O'Neill's charges, as we know, went to take the title with a 3-1 win over Hearts on the last day, completing a race for the crown that was truly gripping. For once the Celtic, Rangers dominance was fractured.

Now McGrath could meet Johnson again in Montreal on Saturday as the Celtic defender is part of the Canada squad in the throes of their preparations for the World Cup. Canada start their World Cup on Friday 12th June when they play Bosnia and Herzegovina.

McGrath's recall to the Republic of Ireland team for last week's 1-0 win over Qatar, also in a friendly, is a story of a player who has once more resurrected his career at the highest level. Since he was handed his senior international debut against Andorra in 2021, McGrath, now 29, has found himself, at times, out of the reckoning for the national side. It looked like his day in green were over.

Each time, however, he has played on and fought his way back into the frame; a reality that reflects the kind of tenacity and grit that has underlined his attitude. An attitude that has seen him thrive in the unforgiving environment of Scottish football with a number of clubs including St Mirren, Dundee United and Hibernians.

Now he is on the verge of getting his 15th cap. It is quite a achievement for the Athboy man who is setting a record other, young players from the Royal County, will find difficult to match, never mind surpass in the future.

Two of those candidates - Sam Curtis from Navan and Dunboyne's Tommy Lonergan - are in the Irish u-21 squad for games against Croatia, also on Saturday and Qatar u-23s on Tuesday 9th June. Will either of these richly talented players go on to match McGrath's record? Only time will tell.