Former Tipperary hurler Mr Michael Maher (born 1930) has passed away at the age of 87, after a long illness. He had been living in a nursing home for some time prior to his death.
Born in Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, Mr Maher, was, at club level, a three-time Championship Medallist with Holycross-Ballycahill club. He was introduced to the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen, linking up with the Tipperary minor team and later joining the junior side. He made his first senior début in the 1951-52 National League.
Mr Maher would go on to play a key role with Co. Tipperary as part of the so-called “Hell’s Kitchen”, a storied fullback line, containing the legendary John Doyle and celebrated Kieran Carey, winning five All-Ireland medals, six Munster medals and eight National Hurling League medals and was even an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.
[Of Course the “Hell’s Kitchen” referred to the players and their often tempestuous nature of exchanges, which greeted any dropping ball, arriving from mid-field in front of the goal area.]
Throughout his career Mr Maher made 30 championship appearances with his retirement announced following the conclusion of the 1966 championship.
Mr Maher won his All-Ireland titles in 1958, 1961, 1962, 1964 and 1965. After retiring as a player, he became the Tipperary County Board chairman and later a selector with the senior team.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
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