It is with great regret and sadness that we learned of the death this morning after a long illness of former Tipperary hurler Michael Maher.
The death took place on Wednesday, March 8th, of former Tipperary star Michael Maher, aged 87.
Born in 1930, the renowned Tipperary full back was a member of the Premier County’s full back line along with John Doyle (1930 – 2010) and Kieran Carey (1933-2007), which was otherwise known as ‘Hell’s Kitchen’.
Michael first came to fame as an All-Ireland Minor winner in 1947 and was promoted to the Senior team during the 1951/52 League. He first played championship hurling in 1956, when Cork proved too good in the Munster semi-final. When he finished hurling after the first round championship loss to Limerick, at Cork, in June 1966, he had amassed an impressive haul of honours as well as earning a reputation as one of the best full backs in the game during the previous decade.
Michael won five Senior All Ireland titles 1958, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965 and claimed a sixth Munster medal in 1960, but lost the All-Ireland final to Wexford. He won 8 League medals starting in 1951/52 and finishing in 1964/65 – when they beat Kilkenny in the ‘Home’ final before overcoming New York in Gaelic Park.
Four Railway Cup medals were won 1958/59/61 & ’63, along with Oireachtas success in 1960/61/63/64/65.. During his career Michael played in 30 championship games for his county.
On the home front with his club Holycross-Ballycahill, Michael claimed three county Senior titles in 1948, 1951 and 1954, with his brother, Francis, as captain. His last county final appearance as a player was against Thurles Sarsfields in 1964.
In the years after his retirement from hurling, Michael became involved in GAA Administration and was Tipperary Co. Chairman 1979 -1982, also serving as a Senior county selector in the 1980/81 season. He followed this as Munster Chairman 1989-1992 and while subsequently nominated to contest the GAA Presidency, that honour remained elusive. Michael spent several years as Chairman of Semple Stadium Committee and was a regular spectator at all games there until recent years.
At the time of his passing Michael was also Vice-President of Tipperary Co. Board.
Tipperary County Board Chairman Michael Bourke paid tribute to the late Michael Maher on hearing of his passing – “As a player the name of Michael Maher was enough to put fear into the minds of opposing forwards whose task it was to mark him. One of the infamous ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ trio Maher was imperious and revelled in his position at full back. As Tipperary County Board Chairman, I am privileged to follow in his footsteps as Co. Chairman as Michael proved to be an excellent and thorough administrator who committed himself to Tipperary throughout his lifetime. His foresight and vision helped shape and steer the County to where it is today. On behalf of Tipperary County Board I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Maher family and also to his club, Holycross-Ballycahill, on the sad passing of Michael.”
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam
Funeral arrangements:
Reposing in Hugh Ryans Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles on Friday, 10th March, from 5pm to 7pm. Arriving at the Church of St Joseph and St Brigid, Bothar na Naomh, Thurles at 7.30pm. Requiem Mass on Saturday, 11th March, at 10am. Burial afterwards in Holycross Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
By Jonathan Cullen Wed 8th Mar
