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I'd be interested to get the views of some regular contributors to the HS forum on Brendan Maher. Personally I'd rank him very highly - one of the best I've seen in the last 15 years. After winning two Minor All-Irelands in 2006 and 2007 he became a regular on Tipp's senior team in 2009. In the first quarter of the 2009 final he found Eddie Brennan too hot to handle but he shrecovered to turn in a fine display subsequently. Kilkenny paid him the ultimate compliment the following year by targetting him early on with a thumping frontal charge but again he bounced back and would probably have got man of the match (and possibly player of the year) but for Lar Corbett's three goals. Tipp didn't play well enough to win the 2011 final but not starting Brendan (just recovered from injury) certainly didn't help. He was consistently brilliant over the next seven years, even if Tipp had just one McCarthy Cup success (in 2016 when he was captain). Many felt he was finished when he did his cruciate in 2018 at 29 years old but he was resilient enough to recover and play a key role in the 2019 victory. Possibly his greatest achievement came the following year when he led Borrisoleigh to county and Munster titles, before losing to an excellent Ballyhale team in the All-Ireland final. In that campaign he scored two of the greatest points ever seen - one against Ballygunner in Pairc Ui Rinn and the other, with a broken hurley, against St. Thomas's. It's a pity we won't see his superb skills on the big stage again, but he has left a lasting legacy. I believe he's a genuine hero in his local community, and not just because of his hurling ability and achievements.
midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 542 - 13/08/2021 22:38:59
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Replying To midlands: "I'd be interested to get the views of some regular contributors to the HS forum on Brendan Maher. Personally I'd rank him very highly - one of the best I've seen in the last 15 years. After winning two Minor All-Irelands in 2006 and 2007 he became a regular on Tipp's senior team in 2009. In the first quarter of the 2009 final he found Eddie Brennan too hot to handle but he shrecovered to turn in a fine display subsequently. Kilkenny paid him the ultimate compliment the following year by targetting him early on with a thumping frontal charge but again he bounced back and would probably have got man of the match (and possibly player of the year) but for Lar Corbett's three goals. Tipp didn't play well enough to win the 2011 final but not starting Brendan (just recovered from injury) certainly didn't help. He was consistently brilliant over the next seven years, even if Tipp had just one McCarthy Cup success (in 2016 when he was captain). Many felt he was finished when he did his cruciate in 2018 at 29 years old but he was resilient enough to recover and play a key role in the 2019 victory. Possibly his greatest achievement came the following year when he led Borrisoleigh to county and Munster titles, before losing to an excellent Ballyhale team in the All-Ireland final. In that campaign he scored two of the greatest points ever seen - one against Ballygunner in Pairc Ui Rinn and the other, with a broken hurley, against St. Thomas's. It's a pity we won't see his superb skills on the big stage again, but he has left a lasting legacy. I believe he's a genuine hero in his local community, and not just because of his hurling ability and achievements." Genuinely sad to see him retire from inter county hurling.
A very talented and honest hurler who hopefully has a good few years left at club level.
slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 13/08/2021 23:08:02
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Replying To midlands: "I'd be interested to get the views of some regular contributors to the HS forum on Brendan Maher. Personally I'd rank him very highly - one of the best I've seen in the last 15 years. After winning two Minor All-Irelands in 2006 and 2007 he became a regular on Tipp's senior team in 2009. In the first quarter of the 2009 final he found Eddie Brennan too hot to handle but he shrecovered to turn in a fine display subsequently. Kilkenny paid him the ultimate compliment the following year by targetting him early on with a thumping frontal charge but again he bounced back and would probably have got man of the match (and possibly player of the year) but for Lar Corbett's three goals. Tipp didn't play well enough to win the 2011 final but not starting Brendan (just recovered from injury) certainly didn't help. He was consistently brilliant over the next seven years, even if Tipp had just one McCarthy Cup success (in 2016 when he was captain). Many felt he was finished when he did his cruciate in 2018 at 29 years old but he was resilient enough to recover and play a key role in the 2019 victory. Possibly his greatest achievement came the following year when he led Borrisoleigh to county and Munster titles, before losing to an excellent Ballyhale team in the All-Ireland final. In that campaign he scored two of the greatest points ever seen - one against Ballygunner in Pairc Ui Rinn and the other, with a broken hurley, against St. Thomas's. It's a pity we won't see his superb skills on the big stage again, but he has left a lasting legacy. I believe he's a genuine hero in his local community, and not just because of his hurling ability and achievements." Great post for a great player. Pleasure to watch such a man play. Best of luck to him in future.
Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2119 - 13/08/2021 23:33:05
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Replying To midlands: "I'd be interested to get the views of some regular contributors to the HS forum on Brendan Maher. Personally I'd rank him very highly - one of the best I've seen in the last 15 years. After winning two Minor All-Irelands in 2006 and 2007 he became a regular on Tipp's senior team in 2009. In the first quarter of the 2009 final he found Eddie Brennan too hot to handle but he shrecovered to turn in a fine display subsequently. Kilkenny paid him the ultimate compliment the following year by targetting him early on with a thumping frontal charge but again he bounced back and would probably have got man of the match (and possibly player of the year) but for Lar Corbett's three goals. Tipp didn't play well enough to win the 2011 final but not starting Brendan (just recovered from injury) certainly didn't help. He was consistently brilliant over the next seven years, even if Tipp had just one McCarthy Cup success (in 2016 when he was captain). Many felt he was finished when he did his cruciate in 2018 at 29 years old but he was resilient enough to recover and play a key role in the 2019 victory. Possibly his greatest achievement came the following year when he led Borrisoleigh to county and Munster titles, before losing to an excellent Ballyhale team in the All-Ireland final. In that campaign he scored two of the greatest points ever seen - one against Ballygunner in Pairc Ui Rinn and the other, with a broken hurley, against St. Thomas's. It's a pity we won't see his superb skills on the big stage again, but he has left a lasting legacy. I believe he's a genuine hero in his local community, and not just because of his hurling ability and achievements." Great Post.. Brendan Maher is an absolute legend of the game.. Hurler who always seemed calm under pressure even when up against the Kilkenny machine of 10 yrs ago.
Always a pleasure to see a player of his ability in action and even as a Limerick man I'd greatly admire his skill and composure .
skillet (Limerick) - Posts: 1062 - 13/08/2021 23:44:51
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Yeah was always a big fan of his,, that tipperary team he played in gave hurling fans some amazing contests against kilkenny and galway during the 2010s.
Has a fantastic trophy haul to show for his efforts, and an all Ireland winning captain to boot so he can retire with no regrets.
Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1705 - 13/08/2021 23:58:56
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Replying To midlands: "I'd be interested to get the views of some regular contributors to the HS forum on Brendan Maher. Personally I'd rank him very highly - one of the best I've seen in the last 15 years. After winning two Minor All-Irelands in 2006 and 2007 he became a regular on Tipp's senior team in 2009. In the first quarter of the 2009 final he found Eddie Brennan too hot to handle but he shrecovered to turn in a fine display subsequently. Kilkenny paid him the ultimate compliment the following year by targetting him early on with a thumping frontal charge but again he bounced back and would probably have got man of the match (and possibly player of the year) but for Lar Corbett's three goals. Tipp didn't play well enough to win the 2011 final but not starting Brendan (just recovered from injury) certainly didn't help. He was consistently brilliant over the next seven years, even if Tipp had just one McCarthy Cup success (in 2016 when he was captain). Many felt he was finished when he did his cruciate in 2018 at 29 years old but he was resilient enough to recover and play a key role in the 2019 victory. Possibly his greatest achievement came the following year when he led Borrisoleigh to county and Munster titles, before losing to an excellent Ballyhale team in the All-Ireland final. In that campaign he scored two of the greatest points ever seen - one against Ballygunner in Pairc Ui Rinn and the other, with a broken hurley, against St. Thomas's. It's a pity we won't see his superb skills on the big stage again, but he has left a lasting legacy. I believe he's a genuine hero in his local community, and not just because of his hurling ability and achievements." Agree fully with your full analysis of a superb hurler who was always to the fore on all Tipp victories over the last 12 years or so. A super skilled player who was whole hearted and effective when fully fit. He was inspirational for Tipp especially when the going got hot and leaders were needed to step up to the challenge. Superlatives do not do justice to his hurling. Had the skills to match the very best and the heart and desire to beat most players he played against.
A man who can be very proud of his contribution to 3 All Irelands, all hard won with Brendan leading from the front.
Enjoy your retirement and enjoy the afterglow of a hurling life lived to the full.
carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1821 - 14/08/2021 00:08:49
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A Hurlers Hurler. The ultimate stickman with sublime silky skills. I'm my opinion the greatest Hurler to wear the Tipperary Jersey in my time, and I don't say that lightly. Never let any of his team's down, and conducted himself with such a dignified manner on and off the field. Extremely gracious in victory as he was in defeat. A roll model of the highest order for kids everywhere. Brendan let his Hurling do the talking.
The guy oozed class, a massive loss not only to Tipperary but to Hurling in general.
A true Laochra Gael.
Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1908 - 14/08/2021 02:35:32
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One of those players who could play almost anywhere but invariably you'd hear his name being mentioned whenever a ball was dropping into the Tipp half-back line. I seem to recall him even scoring a goal for Borris' against St Thomas' one year
His interview on RTE on his retirement was insightful. It goes to show how demanding the modern game is at intercounty level. Training 3,4, 5 times a week, putting the work in for both county and club, holding down a job AND being there for a young family must be fierce tough. He did that for 13 years !
I think those of us commenting from the sidelines tend to forget that when we're pontificating on player's performances.
Hopefully Tipp will struggle to replace him :)
Maroonatic (Galway) - Posts: 1060 - 14/08/2021 08:40:45
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Replying To Maroonatic: "One of those players who could play almost anywhere but invariably you'd hear his name being mentioned whenever a ball was dropping into the Tipp half-back line. I seem to recall him even scoring a goal for Borris' against St Thomas' one year
His interview on RTE on his retirement was insightful. It goes to show how demanding the modern game is at intercounty level. Training 3,4, 5 times a week, putting the work in for both county and club, holding down a job AND being there for a young family must be fierce tough. He did that for 13 years !
I think those of us commenting from the sidelines tend to forget that when we're pontificating on player's performances.
Hopefully Tipp will struggle to replace him :)" Tipp have a few useful young defenders on the squad at the moment, especially Brian McGrath, Eoghan Connolly and Brian O'Mara. If any of them turns out to be half as good as Brendan I'd expect them to make a big impact. I think they'll be waiting many, many years for another Brendan Maher.
midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 542 - 14/08/2021 14:36:35
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