TIPPERARY DEFENDER DONAGH Maher has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.
The Burgess club man confirmed his decision in a statement published on the Tipperary GAA website following his county’s All-Ireland success earlier this year.
In addition to being part of the Premier’s successful squad in 2019, Maher also played a role in helping Tipperary to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2016 when he came on as a substitute in the All-Ireland final.
“After six years of representing Tipperary at the top level, today, I announce my retirement from the Tipperary Senior Hurling team, as the time has come for me to move onto the next chapter of my life,” Maher’s statement begins.
“It was a huge privilege to play with Tipperary at all levels and one I thoroughly enjoyed.
“There are several key people and groups that guided and helped me, and I start by expressing my gratitude and thanks to my family for the ongoing support and positive advice throughout my playing career.
“To my girlfriend, Libhín, thank you for always being there, through the good times and more importantly the indifferent. I am grateful for the support and sacrifices you have made to help me on the journey.
I thank especially my club, Burgess, who have contributed hugely to my development as a player over the years. I am a proud Burgess man and hope I represented you well.
“I wish to thank the GPA for the help and guidance in my professional career and the resources they provided me.
“Thanks to the various management teams and coaches from minor, U21, intermediate and senior for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to represent my county. I include all the backroom teams, physios, nutritionists and doctors for all your help.
“Finally, to my fellow players, past and present; I am happy to have created unique friendships and memories in my time and to have shared a dressing-room with some of the best Tipperary has ever produced. I will always be grateful to have been a part of the All-Ireland winning teams of 2016 and 2019.
“I wish you all the best in the future and I will be supporting you every step of the way.”
Speaking after Maher’s retirement announcement, Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy added: “Donagh Maher has been a terrific servant to Tipperary hurling and his application at all times was exemplary.
I have massive admiration for the leadership he showed both on and off the field and it made a real difference.
“I thank him for his contribution to the group and I wish him continued success in his future career.”
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Cork look to be the weakest team going into the Munster Championship this year. I really fear for us. The ground better dry up fast if we’re to have any hope.
Think Tipp will win the AI this year. Only lost to Galway by a point last year and were no where near their best.
Fair play to Limerick for going 10 games unbeaten.
@Munsterman: serious talent on that limerick side. Promising future ahead for limerick hopefully. Always were my second team outside of where im from.
Great win but the best is still to come.
Very hard to predict Tipps championship 15 now. Serious squad
What pissed many of us off was limerick v tipp just after munster v toulon, if the game was played today instead of last night after the munster v toulon game the attendance would have been double, i would have gone to thurles my self today, but no they played the game in thurles on a saturday night, i can not make out weather it was stupid or done on purpose.
@ktsiwot: who’s us? They could have moved the Munster game to today too!!
@Joe Kennedy: The Munster match was watched by millions around the world, I suspect it had more of a pull.
@Munsterman: haha….millions?! There was billions watching the hurling I believe!
@Joe Kennedy: I am from limerick and would have gone to that game if on today, was at thomond for what has an incredible match and atmosphere.
Many I know were in the same situation as well as many I met last night watching the match from both Limerick and Tipp.
They fixed that match last monday, they lost attendance and money, many were discussing it last night and could not get over the stupidity of it.
The majority of people follow all sport and not stuck to a specific mindset.
@Joe Kennedy: yes joe it is a european cup the pop of uk, france and ireland is well over 100 million, it is not stretching it to say a million saw the game. Nearly every one I new saw that match more so than the hurling match which was also brilliant.
@ktsiwot: excuses excuses. I made both comfortably. Even had time to stop in borrisoleigh for a hot chicken roll
@Tadhg Keating: good man Tadhg. Fair play.
@ktsiwot: he said “millions around the world” though!! Three European countries = the World does it?! Doesn’t matter anyway….was just laughing at the exaggeration. I follow all sports myself too by the way. Everyone I knew had no interest in the rugby…..not sure what that’s got to do with anything though!! Finally, as Tadhg said…. you could have made both if you really wanted to anyway no?
@Joe Kennedy: this match was broadcasted all over Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. I’m not at all exaggerating when I said millions watched it.
@Munsterman: haha… ah come off it!! Throw up your source for your stats there! How do you know how many watched it in those countries?!
@ktsiwot: typical privileged rugby fanboy comment. They could just as easily moved the rugby match to Sunday or even Monday but of course no one can even suggest that. The games clash so it’s the GAA’s fault. End of story.
We will win no All Ireland with Barry fullback. He is a disaster, wrong side of his man all night, no idea how to defend and running around in circles. No one else given a chance at fullback apart from Hamill who we also know is too slow. Puckouts major issue aswell, embarrassing watching last night, not 1 Tipp player able to catch a ball, even standing on their own they stick the Hurley up to knock the ball down instead of catching it. Put your hand up for christ sake and catch the ball.
@Wedger: WHEN I PLAYED hurling no one had the nerve to put their hand up.IT WAS FAR TOO DANGEROUS..
@Michael Heery: me too. Many a finger bone popped out of place from getting a smack catching the ball. Miss that on a freezing sunday morning. Used to love getting bones clicked back into place. Seriously tough game! Tipp have some panel. Hard to look past them come business end of the season.