Pádraic Maher

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Pádraic Maher
Maher with Tipperary in 2015
Personal information
Irish name Pádraic Ó Meachair
Sport Hurling
Position Centre-back
Born (1989-02-09) 9 February 1989 (age 35)
Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Nickname Paudie
Occupation Garda[1][2]
Club(s)
Years Club
2006-2022
 Thurles Sarsfields
Club titles
Tipperary titles 7
Munster titles 1
Colleges(s)
Years College
2016-2017
 Garda Síochána College
College titles
Fitzgibbon titles 0
Inter-county(ies)*
Years County Apps (scores)
2009–2022
 Tipperary 60 (0-20)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 5
All-Irelands 3
NHL 0
All Stars 6
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 16:30, 31 July 2021.

Pádraic Maher (born 9 February 1989) is an Irish former hurler who previously played for Tipperary Senior Championship club Thurles Sarsfields and at inter-county level with the Tipperary senior hurling team. He usually lined out as a centre-back.

Playing career[edit]

Thurles CBS[edit]

Maher first came to prominence as a hurler with Thurles CBS. He played in every grade before eventually joining the senior hurling team as a 15-year-old. On 12 March 2005, Maher lined out at full-back when Thurles CBS suffered a 1-11 to 1-06 defeat by St. Flannan's College from Ennis in the Harty Cup final.[3]

Garda College[edit]

As a student at the Garda Síochána College in Templemore, Maher immediately became involved with the college's senior hurling team. On 25 February 2017, he won a Ryan Cup medal after lining out in a 5-23 to 1-8 defeat of the Institute of Technology, Sligo in the final.[4]

Thurles Sarsfields[edit]

Maher joined the Thurles Sarsfield's club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels and enjoyed much success. He won back-to-back Minor Championship medals in 2006 and 2007 before claiming back-to-back Under-21 Championship medals in 2008 and 2009. Maher was just 17-years-old when he made his first appearance for the club's senior team during the 2006 Tipperary Senior Championship.

On 19 October 2008, Maher lined out at full-back against Toomevara in his first Tipperary Senior Championship final. He ended the game on the losing side following a 2-14 to 0-17 defeat.[5]

Maher played in a second successive final on 18 October 2009 when he lined out at full-back against Drom-Inch. The game ended on a sour note when Drom-Inch midfielder James Woodlock was stretchered off the field with a suspected fractured ankle after a clash with Maher. "James clashed with my leg – it was a horrific injury," said Maher after collecting his first winners' medal following a 0-14 to 0-05 victory.[6]

On 31 October 2010, Maher lined out in a third successive final. Playing once again at full-back, he ended the game with a second successive winners' medal while he also claimed the man of the match award after a 1-16 to 1-07 defeat of Clonoulty-Rossmore.[7]

Maher was appointed captain of the team for the 2012 Tipperary Senior Championship. On 14 October 2012, he captained the team from centre-back when Thurles Sarsfields faced Drom-Inch in the final. Maher claimed a third winners' medal in four seasons after a 1-21 to 2-15 victory.[8] On 25 November 2012, he captained Thurles Sarsfields to their very first Munster Club Championship title after a 1-21 to 1-16 defeat of De La Salle in the Munster final.[9]

On 2 November 2014, Maher lined out in his fifth final with Thurles Sarsfields. Playing in his now usual position of centre-back, he collected a fourth winners' medal after a 2-22 to 3-11 victory over defending champions Loughmore-Castleiney.[10]

Maher was appointed Thurles Sarsfields captain for the second time in his career for the 2015 Tipperary Senior Championship. On 25 October 2015, he captained the team from centre-back in a second consecutive final appearance with Nenagh Éire Óg providing the opposition. Maher ended the game with a fifth winners' medal after the 1-18 to 3-11 victory.[11]

Maher retained the club captaincy for the 2016 Tipperary Senior Championship. On 16 October 2016, he claimed his sixth winners' medal when Thurles Sarsfields completed their first three-in-a-row since 1965 after a 0-27 to 1-15 defeat of Kiladangan in the final.[12]

On 8 October 2017, Maher captained Thurles Sarsfields for the third year in-a-row as the club reached a fourth successive final. He won his seventh championship medal after scoring a point from centre-back in the 1-24 to 0-11 defeat of Borris-Ileigh.[13]

Tipperary[edit]

Minor and under-21[edit]

Maher first played for Tipperary as a member of the minor team during the 2006 Munster Championship. On 25 June 2006, he was an unused substitute when Tipperary suffered a 2-20 to 1-15 defeat by Cork in the Munster final.[14] Maher made his first appearance for the team on 15 July 2006 when he lined out at full-back in Tipperary's 4-19 to 0-12 defeat of Carlow in the All-Ireland quarter-final. Maher retained his position on the starting fifteen when Tipperary faced Galway in the All-Ireland final on 3 September 2006. He ended the game with a winners' medal following the 2-18 to 2-07 victory.[15]

On 8 July 2007, Maher was at full-back when Tipperary won the Munster Championship following an 0-18 to 1-11 defeat of Cork in the final.[16] On 2 September 2007, he was again at full-back for the All-Ireland final against Cork. He claimed a second successive winners' medal following a 3-14 to 2-11 victory.[17]

Maher was drafted onto the Tipperary under-21 team in advance of the 2008 Munster Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 17 July 2008 when he lined out at full-back in a 1-13 to 0-15 defeat of Limerick. On 30 July 2008, Maher won a Munster Championship medal after a controversial 1-16 to 2-12 defeat of Clare.[18] He retained his position at full-back when Tipperary suffered a 2-13 to 0-15 defeat by Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final on 14 September 2008.[19]

On 28 July 2010, Maher won a second Munster Championship medal after captaining Tipperary to a 1-22 to 1-17 defeat of Clare in the final.[20] He was again selected at full-back for the All-Ireland final against Galway on 11 September 2010. Maher ended the game with an All-Ireland medal following the 5-22 to 0-12 victory in what was his last game in the grade.[21]

Senior[edit]

Maher joined the Tipperary senior team in advance of the 2009 National League. He made his first appearance for the team on 29 March 2009 when he came on as a substitute for Shane Maher at left wing-back in a 2-19 to 4-11 defeat of Dublin.[22] On 3 May 2009, Maher lined out at right wing-back in a 2-26 to 4-17 extra-time defeat by Kilkenny in the National League final.[23] On 31 May 2009, he made his Munster Championship debut when he lined out at left wing-back in a 1-19 to 0-19 defeat of Cork.[24] On 12 July 2009, Maher started the Munster final at left wing-back and ended the game with a winners' medal following the 4-14 to 2-16 defeat of Waterford.[25] He was switched to full-back for the All-Ireland final against Kilkenny on 6 September 2009. Maher ended on the losing side following a 2-22 to 0-23 defeat.[26] He ended the season by being named in the full-back position on the All-Star team.

On 5 September 2010, Maher was selected at left wing-back when Tipperary qualified to play Kilkenny in a second successive All-Ireland final. He claimed his first All-Ireland medal following a 4-17 to 1-18 victory.[27]

On 10 July 2011, Maher won a second Munster Championship medal after lining out at left wing-back in a 7-19 to 0-19 defeat of Waterford in the Munster final.[28] On 4 September 2011, he was again selected at left wing-back when Tipperary faced Kilkenny in a third successive All-Ireland final. He ended the game on the losing side following a 2-17 to 1-16 defeat.[29] Maher ended the season by winning a second All-Star award while he was also a nominee for Hurler of the Year.[30]

On 15 July 2012, Maher lined out at left wing-back when Tipperary qualified to play Waterford in a second successive Munster final. He ended the game with a third winners' medal in four seasons after scoring a point in the 2-17 to 0-16 victory.[31]

On 5 May 2013, Maher was selected at centre-back when Tipperary faced Kilkenny in the National League final. He scored a point from play but ended the game on the losing side following a 2-17 to 0-20 defeat.[32]

On 4 May 2014, Maher lined out at full-back in a second successive National League final against Kilkenny. He ended the game on the losing side once again following a 2-25 to 1-27 defeat.[33] On 7 September 2014, Maher was again at full-back when Tipperary drew 1-28 to 3-22 with Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.[34] He retained his position for the replay on 27 September 2014, however, he ended the game on the losing side after a 2-17 to 2-14 defeat.[35] Maher ended the season by receiving a third All-Star award.[36]

On 12 July 2015, Maher was selected at centre-back when Tipperary faced Waterford in the Munster final. He ended the game with a fourth winners' medal following the 0-21 to 0-16 victory.[37]

Maher claimed a fifth Munster Championship medal on 10 July 2016 after scoring a point from left wing-back in a 5-19 to 0-13 defeat of Waterford in the final.[38] On 5 September 2016, he lined out at left wing-back for Tipperary's All-Ireland final meeting with Kilkenny. Maher ended the game with a second All-Ireland medal following a 2-29 to 2-20 victory.[39] He ended the season by winning a fourth All-Star award while he also received a second nomination for Hurler of the Year.[40][41]

On 28 November 2016, Maher was named as the captain of the Tipperary team for the 2017 season.[42][43] On 23 April 2017, he lined out in his fourth National League final. Maher ended the game on the losing side following a 3-21 to 0-14 victory for Galway.[44] He ended the season by winning a fifth All-Star award.[45]

Maher retained the captaincy of the team for the 2018 season. He captained the team in a second successive National League final - his fifth overall - on 8 April 2018. Lining out at left wing-back, Maher ended the game on the losing side following a 2-23 to 2-17 defeat by Kilkenny.[46]

On 30 June 2019, Maher lined out at centre-back when Tipperary suffered a 2-26 to 2-14 defeat by Limerick in the Munster final.[47] On 18 August 2019, he was selected at left wing-back when Tipperary faced Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. Maher ended the game with a third All-Ireland winners' medal following the 3-25 to 0-20 victory.[48] He ended the season by receiving his sixth All-Star award.[49][50]

On 1 February 2022, Maher announced his retirement from club and inter-county hurling due to medical advice received regarding a neck injury.[51][52][53][54]

Munster[edit]

Maher was added to the Munster team in advance of the 2012 Railway Cup. He made his first appearance for the team on 19 February 2012 when he lined out at centre-back in a 3-14 to 1-16 defeat by Leinster. [55]

On 15 December 2016, Maher lined out at left wing-back when Munster qualified to play Leinster in the final. He ended the game with a Railway Cup medal following the 2-20 to 2-16 victory.[56]

Management and coaching career[edit]

Tipperary[edit]

On 23 July 2022, Maher was named by new Tipperary senior hurling manager Liam Cahill as part of his backroom team for 2023.[57][58] In September 2023, Maher left his position as a selector with the Tipperary senior hurling team due to unforeseen changes in his work circumstances.[59]

Book[edit]

Maher's memoir, All on the Line, was published in October 2022.[60]

Career statistics[edit]

As of match played 31 July 2021
Team Year National League Munster All-Ireland Total
Division Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score
Tipperary 2009 Division 1 4 0-00 3 0-00 2 0-00 9 0-00
2010 7 0-01 1 0-00 5 0-00 13 0-01
2011 4 0-01 3 0-02 2 0-02 9 0-05
2012 Division 1A 6 0-03 3 0-02 1 0-00 10 0-05
2013 7 0-02 1 0-00 1 0-00 9 0-02
2014 5 0-00 1 0-00 6 0-00 12 0-00
2015 7 0-02 2 0-00 1 0-00 10 0-02
2016 6 0-05 3 0-03 2 0-02 11 0-10
2017 8 0-06 1 0-01 4 0-03 13 0-10
2018 7 0-03 4 0-01 — 11 0-04
2019 6 0-01 5 0-03 3 0-01 14 0-05
2020 4 0-06 1 0-00 2 0-00 7 0-06
2021 5 0-00 2 0-00 1 0-00 8 0-00
Career total 76 0-30 30 0-12 30 0-08 136 0-50

Honours[edit]

Garda Síochána College
Thurles Sarsfields
Tipperary
Munster
Awards

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Tipp star Padraic Maher hoping to bring McCarthy Cup to Henry Street as he begins life as a garda". Irish Examiner. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  2. ^ "That's the moment you think about all the time" – Paudie Maher". Tipperary Supporters Club. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  3. ^ "St Flannan's claim their 21st Harty Cup". Irish Independent. 13 March 2005. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  4. ^ Bailey, Ryan (25 February 2017). "Great day for Tipperary's Maher brothers as they both win college finals". The 42. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  5. ^ "Brilliant Brislane fires Toomevara to final glory". Irish Examiner. 20 October 2008. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  6. ^ "Sar's bag title number 30". Breaking News website. 18 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  7. ^ O'Flynn, Diarmuid (1 November 2010). "Thurles Sars still Tipp stars". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  8. ^ O'Flynn, Diarmuid (15 October 2012). "Thurles tyro McCormack helps Sars to Tipp title". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  9. ^ O'Flynn, Diarmuid (26 November 2012). "Big guns fire super Sarsfields to promised land after battle royal". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  10. ^ Breheny, Martin (3 November 2014). "Early surge the key as classy Sarsfields seize glory". Irish Independent. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  11. ^ "Sarsfields withstand Nenagh fightback to claim honours". Irish Independent. 25 October 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  12. ^ "Sarsfields honour 'The Rattler' in fitting style". Irish Independent. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  13. ^ "Padraic Maher leads powerful Thurles Sarsfields to four in a row". Irish Examiner. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Cork show their mettle when push comes to shove". Irish Times. 26 June 2006. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  15. ^ Cummiskey, Gavin (4 September 2006). "Tipp feast on Galway carcass". Irish Times. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  16. ^ "Tipperary make numbers count". Irish Times. 9 July 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  17. ^ "Carey fires Tipperary to double minor glory". Irish Independent. 3 September 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  18. ^ "Last-score controversy mars Tipp title success". Irish Independent. 31 July 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  19. ^ Larkin, Brendan (15 September 2008). "Young Cats wrap up the perfect year". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
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  21. ^ "Tipperary crown an outstanding week". Irish Times. 13 September 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  22. ^ "Pádraic Maher is a modern defensive giant whose record of unbroken service stood out". Irish Independent. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  23. ^ "Hogan goes extra yard of plucky Tipperary". Irish Independent. 4 May 2009. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  24. ^ "Premier survive stern Cork test". Irish Independent. 1 June 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  25. ^ "Classy Corbett Tipps the scales". Irish Independent. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  26. ^ O'Flynn, Diarmuid (7 September 2009). "Where there's an iron will, there's a way". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  27. ^ O'Flynn, Diarmuid (6 September 2010). "Thunder and lightning final". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  28. ^ Breheny, Martin (11 July 2011). "Munster massacre: Tipp in seventh heaven". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  29. ^ O'Flynn, Diarmuid (5 September 2011). "The greatest of champions reclaim crown". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  30. ^ "Player of the Year nominees announced". RTÉ Sport. 13 October 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  31. ^ "Tipperary too strong for plucky Waterford". Irish Examiner. 15 July 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  32. ^ O'Flynn, Diarmuid (6 May 2013). "Fennelly goals keep cool Cats in driving seat". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  33. ^ O'Rourke, Steve (4 May 2014). "Kilkenny win third Allianz Hurling League in a row with last-gasp win over Tipperary". The 42. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  34. ^ Fogarty, John (8 September 2014). "Game of inches adds up to a thriller". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  35. ^ "Kilkenny too strong for Tipperary in All-Ireland final replay". RTÉ Sport. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  36. ^ "Tipperary earn more hurling All Stars than the Cats as Richie Hogan and James O'Donoghue land top awards". Irish Independent. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  37. ^ McGoldrick, Seán (12 July 2015). "Tipperary claim Munster hurling title with tight win over Waterford". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  38. ^ Breheny, Martin (11 July 2016). "Tipp torrents wash Deise hopes away". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  39. ^ McGoldrick, Seán (4 September 2016). "Majestic Tipperary are All Ireland champions after victory over Kilkenny in Croke Park". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  40. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (4 November 2016). "7 from Tipperary and 4 from Kilkenny - the 2016 All-Star hurling team". The 42. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  41. ^ "'Shock' in Tipperary as Pádraic Maher retires due to neck injury". RTE Sport. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  42. ^ "From one Maher to another - Tipperary announce new senior hurling captain". The 42. 28 November 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  43. ^ "Switching skippers will 'freshen up' Tipp, insists Maher". Irish Independent. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  44. ^ Small, Darragh (23 April 2017). "Clinical Galway leave Tipp reeling in league final". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  45. ^ Duffy, Emma (2 November 2017). "7 from Galway and 5 from Waterford - the 2017 All-Star hurling team". The 42. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  46. ^ McGoldrick, Seán (8 April 2018). "Kilkenny whirlwind blows Tipperary away as Brian Cody claims ninth league title". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  47. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (30 June 2019). "More glory for Limerick as they lift Munster crown with 12-point win over Tipperary". The 42. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  48. ^ McGoldrick, Seán (18 August 2019). "Tipperary are All-Ireland champions as Liam Sheedy's men see off 14-man Kilkenny in Croke Park". Irish Independent. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  49. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (26 September 2019). "11 players from Tipperary as 8 counties feature in 2019 All-Star hurling nominations". The 42. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  50. ^ "We Become Heroes - Pádraic Maher". RTE Sport. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  51. ^ "Tipperary's Padraic Maher retires due to neck injury". RTE Sport. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  52. ^ "Tipperary GAA Press Release – Padraic Maher Retirement". Tipperary GAA. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  53. ^ "Tipperary hurling great Padraic Maher retires on medical grounds". The 42. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  54. ^ "Maher: I was lucky neck injury was picked up before it got worse". RTE Sport. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  55. ^ O'Flynn, Diarmuid (20 February 2012). "Early Leinster damage decisive". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  56. ^ Cahill, Jackie (16 December 2016). "Shanagher strikes late as Munster take Railway". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  57. ^ "Pádraic Maher named among Liam Cahill's selectors as new Tipp boss finalises management team". Irish Independent. 23 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  58. ^ "'The perfect link' - New boss Cahill hails Maher as he takes Tipperary selector role". The 42. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  59. ^ "Pádraic Maher opts out of Tipperary's senior hurling management team due to work commitments". Irish Independentl. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  60. ^ "All on the Line, by Padraic Maher". O'Mahoney's. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
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