Noel McGrath was diagnosed with testicular cancer last April.
The Tipperary hurler detected a lump on a Monday, and on the Friday of the same week he had undergone surgery. The same week the 24 year old was due to play against Waterford in the Division 1 semi-final.
McGrath, promoting the Movember foundation, has spoken for the first time since his diagnosis.
“It all happened so fast,” McGrath says. “It took me a while to realise what was actually going on, the shock of it all from the start. Even though I thought what this might have been, when you’re told your body just sinks.”
“It’s just that word (cancer), that it’s associated with, that knocks you back.
The hurler also revealed how the level of support he received, which helped him come through the difficult time.
“Look, there was good people around me who helped me big time through it.”
“I got hundreds of well wishes and text messages of people wishing me the best and supporting me. I was very grateful for that.”
H/T Irish Examiner.