Age 23 Height 6 ft Weight 13st 11lbs
Noel was born on December 17th, 1990 and plays for the Loughmore-Castleiney club. Noel made his Senior inter-county debut for Tipperary against Clare in the 2009 Waterford Crystal Cup Final, scoring a point from play at right corner-forward. He made his Allianz Hurling League debut against Cork in February 2009 and his Championship debut at corner-forward against Cork in the 2009 Munster Senior Hurling Championship, scoring 3 points from play. Noel won a Munster Senior Hurling Medal in 2009, scoring 0-13 in three matches in that year’s Munster championship. He won further Munster Senior Hurling medals in 2011 and 2012.
Noel won the RTE man of the match award in the 2010 All-Ireland Senior Hurling semi-final versus Waterford, scoring 7 points, 5 from play in the centre-forward position. He won an All-Ireland Senior Hurling medal in 2010, scoring a goal in the final against Kilkenny. He also won an All-Ireland Under 21 Hurling medal in 2010, scoring 1-3 in the All-Ireland final defeat of Galway. Noel won the 2010 GAA Player of the Month award for August, sponsored by Vodafone. The award followed McGrath’s stunning display in Tipp’s impressive 3-19 to 1-18 victory over Waterford. McGrath hit five outstanding points from play against the Deise as he won a crucial battle against Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh.
Noel lined out with the Tipperary Minor Hurlers for three seasons, winning All-Ireland medals in 2006 and 2007, a Munster Minor medal in 2007 and a Munster Under 21 Hurling medal in 2010. Noel won the RTE man of the match award in the 2007 All-Ireland semi-final victory over Kilkenny. He played an impressive role as a second half substitute at wing-back in the 2006 All-Ireland semi-final defeat over Kilkenny. In all, Noel played 11 Championship matches for the Tipperary Minor hurlers, scoring 1-34 (0-15 frees, 0-2 sideline cuts, 1-17 from play) in total.
Noel won an All-Ireland Under 16 Hurling medal in 2006 and a Dean Ryan Cup medal with Our Ladys Templemore in 2007. Noel helped his club to win County and Munster Club Senior Hurling medals in 2007. He also was a member of Loughmore Casleiney’s senior hurling and senior football teams which won the Tipperary county senior titles unique double in 2013. Noel’s father Pat played for Tipperary at Minor, Under 21 and Senior level.
Noel has been nominated for All-Star awards in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, winning awards in 2009 (right corner-forward) and 2010 (centre-forward). He was also the 2009 Young Hurler of the Year. Noel is vice-captain of the Tipperary Senior Hurling team for 2014.
Championship debut – 2009 vs. Cork
Number of Appearances – 28
Scored – 3-72