Maher aiming to join Sarsfields Wall of Winners

By Michael Dundon

Murals depicting Thurles Sarsfields’ captains who have led Tipperary to All-Ireland senior hurling glory are a much admired feature at the entrance to the club’s premises adjoining Semple Stadium.

The work of local artist David McElgun whose father, the late Miceal “Rocky” McElgun, was one of the club’s greats as a player and administrator, they are a striking reminder of the role the club and its members have played in the story of Tipperary hurling.

Hopefully, after next Sunday’s All-Ireland final, another Sarsfields man will be added to the feature, with Ronan Maher becoming the ninth clubman to accept the Liam MacCarthy Cup on behalf of Tipperary.

For Maher, the murals have a particular resonance due to the role this family from Killinan has played in the Tipp story from day one.

Tipperary won the first All-Ireland title, when the Thurles selection, representing the county, defeated Galway at Birr in 1887. The captain was Jim Stapleton but the captain for all the campaign up to the final was Denis Maher, Ronan’s great grandfather. A dispute over travelling expenses for the players for the final prompted Denis Maher to stand down as captain with Jim Stapleton assuming the leadership role and his place in history as the first All-Ireland winning captain.

Fast forward to 1945 – John Maher, Ronan’s grand-uncle, an All-Ireland medal winner in 1930 & 1937, had the distinction of being the oldest man to lead Tipperary to victory when, at 37 years of age, captaining the team that defeated Kilkenny in the final.

But for the infamous “Cooney Case” in 1938 when Tipperary were eliminated from the championship for playing a player who was reported for attending a rugby match, and the Foot & Mouth year in 1941 when Tipp were not allowed to play in the All-Ireland Final which won by Cork, because of travel restrictions, John Maher might have had two more Celtic Crosses. Tipp later beating Cork in the delayed Munster final.

A further link with the Maher hurling dynasty – 1930 Tipperary captain John Joe, “Joby”, Callanan was connected to the Maher’s as his brother Andy was married to John’s sister. Joby was also a noted referee, Tipp’s Central Council representative, and in latter years, caretaker of the Thurles grounds. Joby also has the unique distinction for a Tipp man of also winning All-Ireland honours with Dublin in 1920, his 1930 medal with Tipp coming in the twilight of his career.

The legendary Tom Semple, after whom the Thurles venue is named, twice led Tipperary to All-Ireland success in 1906 & 1908, and went on to become one of the outstanding figures in the association as a referee and administrator. He is credited with leading the drive to develop the old Thurles Sportsfield into the national stadium it is today. He represented Tipperary at Central and Munster Council levels and was chairperson of Tipperary County Board from 1912 to 1919.

Jim Lanigan was the Tipperary captain in 1937 and was also a medal winner in 1930 when his brother John was part of the minor team which also annexed All-Ireland honours, in a year in which Tipp achieved “the triple crown”, senior, junior and minor honours.

Another brother, Tom, was a Sarsfields stalwart in county championship successes. Jim also captained Munster to Railway Cup honours following the All-Ireland success over Kilkenny in Killarney, Croke Park being closed due to works being carried out.

In 1958, after seven years in the doldrums, Tipperary regained the All-Ireland title when beating Galway in the final. Much like this year, Tipperary fielded a new-look team who were led by Tony Wall who was named Hurler of the Year, and was chosen three times on the All-Ireland Hurling team of the year, 1964, ’65 & ‘67. He was honoured with the GPA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 and also captained Munster to Railway Cup honours in 1959 & ‘61. To this day, Tony Wall’s name is revered not just in Tipperary hurling circles.

Jimmy Doyle captained Tipp to All-Ireland honours in 1962 & ’65, and is widely acknowledged as one of the icons of the game. Four years a county minor, winning three All-Irelands, he graduated to senior ranks while still underage and won six Celtic Crosses in a career that saw him win every honour in the game. He was on the Centenary Hurling, and the Munster & All-Ireland teams of the Millenium, and Hurler of the Year in 1965.

Michael Murphy was captain and wing back on the Tipp team which won the All-Ireland final in 1964. A nephew of All-Ireland medal winners in the famous three-in-a-row team of 1949-51, John & Flor Coffey, his brother Noel was a member of the All-Ireland ’58 winning squad.

An outstanding minor winning National honours, Michael was in the senior winning panel in ’62 but controversially, on the week of the final, he and Christy Hartigan, who was also a sub, were informed that in the event of Tipp winning they would not get medals due to the restriction on the number of subs medals allowed. Michael put that disappointment behind him to achieve the highest accolade but, at his peak, his career was cut short by a knee injury in the club championship in 1964 which forced his premature retirement.

From the above, it can be seen that Ronan Maher is following in formidable footsteps but no better man for the job. Hopefully, before the end of the year, his likeness will be decorating the entrance to the Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre. He will sit well among that illustrious band.