Maher’s exit is a real test of Premier depth
NOT just from a Tipperary point of view but from a hurling point of view, we’re after losing one of the greatest defenders I’ve ever seen in Pádraic Maher. JJ Delaney is one of the great number sevens of the game and Paudie is right up there. That was his home, his forte.
When Tipperary hammered Kilkenny in the 2016 All-Ireland final, you had Ronan at six and Paudie at seven – Ronan giving one of the great displays with his big brother beside him. They must be great memories to have.
His sudden retirement due to a neck injury sparked lots of clips and highlights going around, the big catches, the big plays. Plus the shoulder on Joe Canning in the 2016 All-Ireland semi-final. I was on cocommentary that day – I said at the time that there was no malice in it. It was just a hard hit – two of the great modern players colliding. And, in Canning, the-off season has seen one of the best forwards departing the scene as well.
Injuries and wear and tear caught up with both in the end. Paudie’s neck issue wasn’t anticipated, so it comes as quite a shock.
Every generation produces top players – just look at the reigning All-Ireland champions. I’ve no doubt some of the Limerick team are going to become all-time greats. Then we have TJ Reid and Patrick Horgan as well.
Paudie Maher’s record by any gauge, though, was remarkable. Since his debut in 2009 he played in 13 Championships. In 60 Championship matches, he only missed a combined 20 minutes out of the whole 60 games. That’s remarkable consistency. He won three All-Irelands and his six All-Stars were testament to his flair and his ability to rouse his team and the crowd.
With his team-mate Brendan Maher also calling time at the end of last season, the game will miss some big talents and personalities.
When you are suddenly missing players like that, it feels like a fierce loss. To the game just as much as to their own counties.
It’s not a good sign of an injury either when the prognosis is that Paudie can’t even play with his club. I retired at 33 with Offaly and won a junior championship when nearly 43.
I got a few good years at senior level, then pottered around into my 40s and had great craic along the way. That’s a loss to him, especially given how he has been such a warrior figure for Thurles Sarsfields.
For new Tipperary manager Colm
‘NOBODY IS SPRINGING TO MIND TO FILL PAUDIE’S BOOTS’
Bonnar, Maher clearly had more in him but now himself and Brendan are gone, two players that Liam Sheedy had such a bond with going back to the win in 2010. Sheedy had a huge connection with that team – in a way, the changes create an opportunity for Bonnar to put his own mark on things.
Sheedy was very loyal to the original crew when he took over a second time and they repaid him with the All-Ireland again in 2019. Seamus Callanan and Noel McGrath are still there but it’s time for a lot of players who won Under 20 and 21 All-Irelands in recent years to step up.
Bonnar resurrected the Miller Shield, trawled the county for players in the off-season. With Bubbles O’Dwyer also out with an injury, there is clearly a serious rebuilding job to be done with Tipperary.
Sheedy would be ruthless if he had to in terms of the old guard but kept them on because he clearly felt what was coming through wasn’t good enough at the time.
So no doubt in my mind, it’s a big, big job. There is nobody springing to mind either to fill Paudie’s boots. Those type of players have to go in and start making their mark.
Because of the level of physicality and power in the modern game, it can take time for younger players to develop enough to be able to take the hits. It is a big year for them to find their feet.
The next thing is to be successful. The Tipperary public will be looking for results – nothing new there.
How much rebuilding really needs to be done for a team that was 10 points ahead of Limerick in last year’s Munster final? That’s one argument. That was a great half of hurling – but only that. One half. Limerick wiped them in the third quarter.
Who were the Tipperary lads to come off the bench and turn back the tide? Judging them by the benchmark of Limerick, who have done a similar job on nearly everyone else in the way they completely overwhelm you, the gap right now looks significant.
Henry Shefflin is looking to build something in Galway, Cork have a process of rebuilding confidence following the All-Ireland final defeat, so a lot of counties are playing catch-up.
For new Wexford manager Darragh Egan, the tightened inter-county calendar means that there is not that much time to get things right. Especially with the All-Ireland champions coming to town this afternoon.
The Walsh Cup final beating by Dublin was a little worrying. A few of the things that you expect from a Wexford team at this time of year? You expect them to be fit, to be passionate – you don’t expect a scoreline like 2-29 to 019. Attitude comes first – everything follows from that. That was a fair hiding. A result like that can get inside your head if you let it. Wexford are just one team who really need to show their true colours today.