Pádraic Maher
Encyclopedia
Pádraic Maher is an Irish
sportsperson. He plays hurling
with his local club Thurles Sarsfields and has been a member of the Tipperary
senior inter-county team since 2009.
In 2004 Maher was a key member of the Durlas Óg under-16 team that captured the county hurling championship title in that grade. The team retained that title in 2005 in Maher’s last year in that grade.
By 2005 he was a dual player
at minor level with Thurles Sarsfields and a great era of underage success got underway for the club. That year he captured a county minor football championship winners’ medal. In 2006 Maher enjoyed his most successful year on the club minor team. He added a second county minor football championship title to his collection, before also picking up a first county minor hurling championship winners’ medal. Sarsfields failed to capture a third county minor football championship title in 2007; however, the minor hurling team continued their successful streak. Maher added a second county minor hurling championship winners’ medal to his ever-growing collection.
2007 was Maher’s last season with the Thurles Sarsfields minor teams; however, he subsequently joined the club’s under-21 football and hurling sides. In 2008 the club continued its winning streak in hurling by capturing a county under-21 championship title.
By this stage Maher had already made his debut with the club's senior hurling team. In 2008 he lined out in his first county senior championship final. Toomevara
, a side that had put Thurles Sarsfields to the sword on so many occasions in the recent past provided the opposition. Toomevara's Eoin Brislane, however, had the game of his life. He finished the day with 1–5 from play and was a large factor in 'Toome's' 2–14 to 0–17 victory and a defeat for Maher's side.
In 2009, Maher won his first county medal for Sarsfields after beating Drom/Inch in the county final 0–14 to 0–05. In the same game his Tipperary teammate James Woodlock broke his leg in an accidental collision with Maher.
and Kilkenny
allowed Tipperary advance to the All-Ireland final where Galway
provided the opposition. The westerners had won the previous two championship deciders and were going for a coveted three-in-a-row. Tipperary proved far too strong for the reigning champs and powered to a 2–18 to 2–7 victory. It was Maher’s first All-Ireland
winners' medal in the minor grade.
In 2007 Maher was still a key member of the Tipperary minor team. For the second year in succession he lined out in the Munster final with Cork providing the opposition once again. On this occasion the result was reversed as Tipp won the game by 0–18 to 1–11. It was Maher’s first Munster
winners' medal in the minor grade. Tipp subsequently defeated Kilkenny in the semi-final to qualify for the All-Ireland final. Cork, the defeated Munster finalists, provided the opposition and a high-scoring game developed over the course of the hour. At the full-time whistle Tipp reversed the provincial final result and remerged as the champions by 3–14 to 2–11. Maher added a second All-Ireland medal to his collection in his final year with the Tipp minors.
In 2008 Maher was an automatic choice for the Tipperary under-21 hurling team. That year he lined out in his first provincial decider in that grade with Clare
providing the opposition. The game wa splaye din a good spirit, however, it ended in controversy. The game was deep in injury-time when Clare were awarded a free in front of the Tipperary posts. Both sides were level at the time, however, the referee’s attention was then drawn by one of his umpires at the other end of the field who pointed out that home Clare goalkeeper Donal Tuohy
had marginally stepped outside the small square with his last puckout. The referee then cancelled the Clare free, gave Tipperary a 65-metre free which was pointed by Pa Bourke
to hand the Premier County a 1–16 to 2–12 win. It was Maher's first Munster
winners' medal with the under-21 team. Tipp later trounced Derry
to set up an All-Ireland final meeting with Kilkenny. 'The Cats' took a six point lead at the interval, however, Tipp fought back to narrow the deficit to just two points Kilkenny held on to win the game by 2–13 to 0–15. On 28 July 2010, Maher captained Tipperary as they defeated Clare
in the 2010 Munster Under-21 Hurling final
at Semple Stadium
, winning by 1–22 to 1–17. On 11 September 2010, Tipperary clinched the All Ireland Under-21 title
by defeating Galway
by 5–22 to 0–12 at Semple Stadium, with Maher lifting the trophy as captain.
game against Dublin
. It was a time when Tipp's stock was rising and the team were regarded as the main challengers to Kilkenny’s assault on the holy grail of four All-Ireland championship titles in-a-row. That year both sides lined out against each other in the final of the National League. Tipperary, the defending champions, stormed into a decisive lead as they took the game by the scruff of the; however, ‘the Cats’ clawed their way back into the game. At the end of normal time both sides were level. A period of extra-time followed, however, in spite of a 2–26 to 4–17 defeat, Maher's side were widely lauded for their performance. The subsequent championship campaign saw Tipp reach the Munster final for a second consecutive year. Waterford
, the team that had put Tipp to the sword in the All-Ireland semi-final the previous year provided the opposition. Tipp raced into a decisive lead at the interval, however, the Decies fought back to narrow the deficit and maybe cause an upset. In the end Tipp won the game by 4–14 to 2–16. It was Maher's first Munster
winners’ medal. This victory allowed Tipperary to advance to an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Limerick in Croke Park
, which they won at a canter by 6–19 to 2–7. Maher and Tipperary lost to Kilkenny in the 2009 All-Ireland final.
In September 2009, Maher was nominated for the 2009 All Star Team
.
On 16 October 2009, he collected his first All-Star award in the full back position, and he was also named in the 2009 Opel hurling team of the year
.
On 5 September 2010, Maher started at left half-back as Tipperary won their 26th All Ireland title
, beating reigning champions Killkenny
by 4–17 to 1–18 in the final
, preventing Kilkenny from achieving an historic 5-in-a-row, it was Maher's first All-Ireland winners medal in his second final.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sportsperson. He plays hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Thurles Sarsfields and has been a member of the Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
senior inter-county team since 2009.
Club
Maher first came to prominence on the club scene as a member of the Durlas Óg club, the juvenile and underage section of the famous Thurles Sarsfields club. He has since gone on to enjoy much success.In 2004 Maher was a key member of the Durlas Óg under-16 team that captured the county hurling championship title in that grade. The team retained that title in 2005 in Maher’s last year in that grade.
By 2005 he was a dual player
Dual player
Dual player or dual star is a term used in Gaelic games to describe a player who plays both Men's Gaelic football and Hurling or Ladies' Gaelic football and Camogie. The player doesn't necessarily have to play at the same standard in both sports...
at minor level with Thurles Sarsfields and a great era of underage success got underway for the club. That year he captured a county minor football championship winners’ medal. In 2006 Maher enjoyed his most successful year on the club minor team. He added a second county minor football championship title to his collection, before also picking up a first county minor hurling championship winners’ medal. Sarsfields failed to capture a third county minor football championship title in 2007; however, the minor hurling team continued their successful streak. Maher added a second county minor hurling championship winners’ medal to his ever-growing collection.
2007 was Maher’s last season with the Thurles Sarsfields minor teams; however, he subsequently joined the club’s under-21 football and hurling sides. In 2008 the club continued its winning streak in hurling by capturing a county under-21 championship title.
By this stage Maher had already made his debut with the club's senior hurling team. In 2008 he lined out in his first county senior championship final. Toomevara
Toomevara GAA
Toomevara GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the parish of Toomevara in County Tipperary, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling.-Honours:*Munster Senior Club Hurling Championships: 3** 1993, 2004, 2006...
, a side that had put Thurles Sarsfields to the sword on so many occasions in the recent past provided the opposition. Toomevara's Eoin Brislane, however, had the game of his life. He finished the day with 1–5 from play and was a large factor in 'Toome's' 2–14 to 0–17 victory and a defeat for Maher's side.
In 2009, Maher won his first county medal for Sarsfields after beating Drom/Inch in the county final 0–14 to 0–05. In the same game his Tipperary teammate James Woodlock broke his leg in an accidental collision with Maher.
Minor & under-21
Maher first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Tipperary minor hurling team. In 2006 he was the full-back on the Tipp team that reached the Munster minor final and played Cork. A high-scoring game followed over the next hour, however, at the full-time whistle victory went to 'the Rebels' by 2–20 to 1–15. In spite of this defeat, Tipperary still had a chance to claim the All-Ireland title via the 'back-door' route. Subsequent defeats of CarlowCarlow GAA
The Carlow County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Carlow GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Carlow and the Carlow inter-county teams.-Gaelic football:...
and Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
allowed Tipperary advance to the All-Ireland final where Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
provided the opposition. The westerners had won the previous two championship deciders and were going for a coveted three-in-a-row. Tipperary proved far too strong for the reigning champs and powered to a 2–18 to 2–7 victory. It was Maher’s first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championship is an annual competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for competitors under eighteen years of age in the game of hurling played in Ireland.The series of games are played during the summer months with the All-Ireland final...
winners' medal in the minor grade.
In 2007 Maher was still a key member of the Tipperary minor team. For the second year in succession he lined out in the Munster final with Cork providing the opposition once again. On this occasion the result was reversed as Tipp won the game by 0–18 to 1–11. It was Maher’s first Munster
Munster Minor Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Minor Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for the youngest competitors in the province of Munster in Ireland...
winners' medal in the minor grade. Tipp subsequently defeated Kilkenny in the semi-final to qualify for the All-Ireland final. Cork, the defeated Munster finalists, provided the opposition and a high-scoring game developed over the course of the hour. At the full-time whistle Tipp reversed the provincial final result and remerged as the champions by 3–14 to 2–11. Maher added a second All-Ireland medal to his collection in his final year with the Tipp minors.
In 2008 Maher was an automatic choice for the Tipperary under-21 hurling team. That year he lined out in his first provincial decider in that grade with Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
providing the opposition. The game wa splaye din a good spirit, however, it ended in controversy. The game was deep in injury-time when Clare were awarded a free in front of the Tipperary posts. Both sides were level at the time, however, the referee’s attention was then drawn by one of his umpires at the other end of the field who pointed out that home Clare goalkeeper Donal Tuohy
Donal Tuohy
Donal Tuohy is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Crusheen and made his debut as goalkeeper on the Clare senior inter-county team in 2010. He was starting goalkeeper for the Fitzgibbon Cup winning NUI Galway team, the college's first Fitzgibbon Cup victory in 30 years...
had marginally stepped outside the small square with his last puckout. The referee then cancelled the Clare free, gave Tipperary a 65-metre free which was pointed by Pa Bourke
Pa Bourke
Patrick Bourke is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Thurles Sarsfields and with the Tipperary senior inter-county team.-Early life:...
to hand the Premier County a 1–16 to 2–12 win. It was Maher's first Munster
Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Under-21 Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for players aged between 18 and 21 in the province of Munster in Ireland...
winners' medal with the under-21 team. Tipp later trounced Derry
Derry GAA
The Derry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Derry GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. It is responsible for Gaelic games in the GAA county of Derry, which covers virtually the same territory as the former administrative county of Londonderry...
to set up an All-Ireland final meeting with Kilkenny. 'The Cats' took a six point lead at the interval, however, Tipp fought back to narrow the deficit to just two points Kilkenny held on to win the game by 2–13 to 0–15. On 28 July 2010, Maher captained Tipperary as they defeated Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
in the 2010 Munster Under-21 Hurling final
Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Under-21 Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for players aged between 18 and 21 in the province of Munster in Ireland...
at Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium, located in Thurles, North Tipperary, Ireland, is the home of hurling for Tipperary GAA and for the province of Munster. It is the second largest stadium in Ireland with a capacity of 53,500....
, winning by 1–22 to 1–17. On 11 September 2010, Tipperary clinched the All Ireland Under-21 title
All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship 2010
The Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling All-Ireland Under-21 Championship 2010 was the 47th staging of Ireland's hurling knock-out competition for players aged between 18 and 21. The final was held at Semple Stadium, Thurles on 11 September 2010. Tipperary won the game by 5-22 to 0-12 against Galway to...
by defeating Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
by 5–22 to 0–12 at Semple Stadium, with Maher lifting the trophy as captain.
Senior
In 2009 Maher made his competitive debut for the Tipperary senior team in a National Hurling LeagueNational Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
game against Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
. It was a time when Tipp's stock was rising and the team were regarded as the main challengers to Kilkenny’s assault on the holy grail of four All-Ireland championship titles in-a-row. That year both sides lined out against each other in the final of the National League. Tipperary, the defending champions, stormed into a decisive lead as they took the game by the scruff of the; however, ‘the Cats’ clawed their way back into the game. At the end of normal time both sides were level. A period of extra-time followed, however, in spite of a 2–26 to 4–17 defeat, Maher's side were widely lauded for their performance. The subsequent championship campaign saw Tipp reach the Munster final for a second consecutive year. Waterford
Waterford GAA
The Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Waterford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for all levels of Gaelic games in County Waterford. The County Board is also responsible for the Waterford inter-county teams. The county...
, the team that had put Tipp to the sword in the All-Ireland semi-final the previous year provided the opposition. Tipp raced into a decisive lead at the interval, however, the Decies fought back to narrow the deficit and maybe cause an upset. In the end Tipp won the game by 4–14 to 2–16. It was Maher's first Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
winners’ medal. This victory allowed Tipperary to advance to an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Limerick in Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
, which they won at a canter by 6–19 to 2–7. Maher and Tipperary lost to Kilkenny in the 2009 All-Ireland final.
In September 2009, Maher was nominated for the 2009 All Star Team
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
.
On 16 October 2009, he collected his first All-Star award in the full back position, and he was also named in the 2009 Opel hurling team of the year
GPA Gaelic Team of the Year
The GPA Gaelic Team of the Year known for sponsorship reason as The Opel Gaelic Team of the Year awards were an awards ceremony to honour the performances ofGaelic Athletic Association players...
.
On 5 September 2010, Maher started at left half-back as Tipperary won their 26th All Ireland title
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
, beating reigning champions Killkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
by 4–17 to 1–18 in the final
2010 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final
The 2010 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final was the 113th All-Ireland Final and the culmination of the 2010 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, an inter-county hurling tournament for the top teams in Ireland. The match was held at Croke Park, Dublin, on 5 September 2010 and was a...
, preventing Kilkenny from achieving an historic 5-in-a-row, it was Maher's first All-Ireland winners medal in his second final.
Durlas Óg/Thurles Sarsfields
- Tipperary Senior Hurling ChampionshipTipperary Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe Tipperary Senior Hurling Club Championship is an annual club competition between the top Tipperary hurling clubs...
:- Winner (2):2009, 2010
- Runner-up (0): 2008
- Tipperary Under-21 Hurling Championship:
- Winner (1): 2008
- Tipperary Minor Hurling Championship:
- Winner (2): 2006, 2007
- Tipperary Minor Football Championship:
- Winner (2): 2005, 2006
- Tipperary Under-16 Hurling Championship:
- Winner (1): 2004
Tipperary
- All-Ireland Senior Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
:- Winner (1): 2010
- Runner-up (2): 2009, 2011
- Munster Senior Hurling ChampionshipMunster Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
:- Winner (2): 2009, 2011
- National Hurling LeagueNational Hurling LeagueThe National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
:- Winner (0):
- Runner-up (1): 2009
- All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Under-21 Hurling ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of hurling played in Ireland...
:- Winner (1): 2010
- Runner-up (1): 2008
- Munster Under-21 Hurling ChampionshipMunster Under-21 Hurling ChampionshipThe Munster GAA Hurling Under-21 Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for players aged between 18 and 21 in the province of Munster in Ireland...
:- Winner (2): 2008, 2010
- All-Ireland Minor Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Minor Hurling ChampionshipThe GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championship is an annual competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for competitors under eighteen years of age in the game of hurling played in Ireland.The series of games are played during the summer months with the All-Ireland final...
:- Winner (2): 2006, 2007
- Munster Minor Hurling ChampionshipMunster Minor Hurling ChampionshipThe Munster GAA Hurling Minor Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for the youngest competitors in the province of Munster in Ireland...
:- Winner (1): 2007
- Runner-up (1): 2006