Eddie Brennan | Joe Canning | Ollie Canning | DJ Carey | Eugene Cloonan
Martin Comerford | Lar Corbett | Brendan Cummins | Ronan Curran
Ger Farragher | James 'cha' Fitzpatrick | Damien Fitzhenry | Paul Flynn
John Gardiner | Niall Gilligan | Damian Hayes | Conal Keaney | Michael Kavanagh
Eoin Kennedy | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Larkin | Derek Lyng
Fergus McMahon | Seanie McMahon | Johnny McIntosh | Andrew Mitchell
Stephen Molumpy | Pat Mulcahy | John Mullane | Sean Óg Ó Hailpin
Andrew O'Shaughnessy | Ben O'Connor | Seamus Prendergast
Keith Raymond | Eoin Quigley | Joe Rabbite | Keith Rossiter | Dan Shanahan
Henry Shefflin | James Skehill | Tommy Walsh | Brian Whelehan | James Young
Brian Phelan | David O'Callaghan | JJ Delaney | Pádraic Maher | Shane McGrath
SARSFIELD SUPERSTAR! PREMIER DEFENDER!
Pádraic Maher signalled his potential with a series of outstanding displays in defence with the Tipperary Minors back in 2006 and ’07. Powerful, strong and safe under the high ball, Maher quickly became a crowd favourite. Bursting out of defence, there was an eye-catching drive and spirit to his game and nothing fazed him. His profile rose again when he was made Bord Gais Energy’s Man of the Match, despite the defeat to Tipp, after the 2008 U-21 All-Ireland Final. Pádraic was always going to feature on his county’s big days.
His big chance came when Conor O’Mahony was unavailable for last spring’s Allianz GAA National League final. Maher marked Henry Shefflin on the day
and had a great game. After that, the Thurles native was a mainstay on the Senior team and played well all summer. He picked up a GAA All-Star Award at full-back this October, it will hardly be his last one.
Is training a chore? Or can it be fun?
No, I wouldn’t say it’s too bad. Training is something you’d look forward to most of the time because you end up knowing everyone so well. There are a lot of different personalities involved but that’s all the better. A good few of us on the Senior panel have been together since we were U-14s and we know each other inside out.
What has been your happiest moment in Blue & Gold?
Winning this summer’s Munster Final was really good because we did it in front of a home crowd in Thurles. It was a great feeling. Hopefully the best moments are still to come.
Which is the toughest team you have ever faced?
After all the drama this year, I’d have to say Kilkenny. And for the League final, more so than for the All-Ireland final. They are never beaten until the final whistle goes.
Who was the toughest opponent you ever played against?
Ben O’Connor of Cork. Marking him on my Championship debut was a baptism of fire if ever there was one, he does everything so quick.
Which players do you admire the most?
Nicky English was (and still is) an idol to many lads like me. I’ve always admired Ken McGrath for being brilliant in so many different positions.
Who were your childhood heroes?
Within Tipp, as I’ve mentioned, Nicky English was a special hurler. He always emphasised the value of skill.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
Thurles Sarsfields is my home club. Drom-Inch would traditionally be our biggest rivals. This year’s County Final was all the more special because of that.
Do you have any superstitions?
If I win a game, I like to do everything the same for the next one. Routine is a help for the nerves.
What are your hopes for the future?
I’d like to stay on the Tipp team, which won’t be simple given how many good backs we have in the panel. And I’d just love to be on a team that wins a Senior All-Ireland.
What’s the most important skill in your opinion?
Has to be your first touch. If that’s not right, you’re going to be in trouble the whole time.
What advice would you give to young players?
The first thing is always to listen to coaches. They’re the people who want to help you improve. Young players in their own time should go to a hurling wall as often as they can.
STATS
Name: Pádraic Maher
Age: 20
Club: Thurles Sarsfields
County: Tipperary
Debut: 2009 v Cork
Position: Full-Back/Half-Back.
Honours:
1 Munster Senior title,
1 Munster U21 title,
2 All-Ireland Minor titles,
1 Munster Minor title,
1 Tipperary Senior title,
1 Tipperary U21 A title,
2 Tipperary Minor A titles,
2 Tipperary U16 A titles,
1 All-Star Award.
Fav Food: Steak
Fav Book: Liam Dunne’s autobiography
Fav Band: The Killers
Fav Film: Remember the Titans
Fav TV: The X Factor
Hobbies: Golf, rugby and soccer.
Occupation: Apprentice Electrician.
CúlFACT:
John Maher, Pádraic’s paternal granduncle, hurled with Tipperary in the 1930s and ’40s, winning two All-Ireland medals. |
