CUP HALF FULL
Championship only around corner but Maher going full tilt for a first NHL title
BY
RONAN MAHER has his sight set on a first League medal ahead of a “brutal Munster Championship.”
Tipperary have three weeks between a potential League final and their Munster opener away to Limerick – due to a first round provincial bye.
But first they have to negotiate Clare in tomorrow’s League semi-final as Tipp go in search of a first League title since 2008.
Managerial eyes from Waterford, Cork and Limerick will be firmly fixed on this one with the Championship just around the corner – and Maher’s role is one factor they’ll be looking closely at.
It was notable that the 28 year old skipper was acting as a full back line playmaker against Limerick recently.
Tipp appeared to be looking specifically for double All Star and double All-ireland winner Maher to work the ball out from the back. It’s hard to believe that his older brother, Pauide – a six-time All Star and three-time All-ireland winner - doesn’t hold a league medal, let alone Ronan himself.
Tipp have lost their last five finals: 2009, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018.
“I don’t have a League medal and I wouldn’t mind one and I know the lads wouldn’t mind one either,” said Thurles Sarsfields ace Maher, who made his Tipp senior debut in 2014 and is in his 11th season at this level.
“It’s been a good few years. So, it’d be nice to have a National League medal and it would set you up good for the Munster Championship.
“We’re not out in the first round so we’d have three weeks (break). They’re good competitive games and it’s great preparation.” The idea of holding back in the League doesn’t really fit with the way Maher plays the game, and may be more a factor in team selection by managers.
“When a player goes out onto the pitch, they’re going to give it everything anyway so it’s always a tough question when somebody asks me that,” he says.
“I’m not going to go out and play at 50% so I’m sure I can speak on behalf of everybody else as well.
“When the ball is thrown in, it’s game on and you’re going for it all out.”
The Munster SHC, which Tipp last won in 2016, before Cork nipped in for one and Limerick made history winning five-in-a-row, is in the back of Maher’s head all the time.
“Of course it is and it’s brutal,” he says. “The Munster Championship is brutal. These matches are great for preparation. They’re competitive.
“Every team in Munster has been strong in the League.
“And it doesn’t be long about coming around, the Munster Championship. Once the League finishes up now, we’ll look forward to that.”