John Maher (Gaelic footballer)

John Maher
Personal information
Irish name Seán Ó Meachair
Sport Gaelic football
Position Midfield
Born (1998-11-05) 5 November 1998
Galway, Ireland
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Occupation Engineer
Club(s)
Years Club
2016–
Salthill–Knocknacarra
Colleges(s)
Years College
NUI Galway
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2018–
Galway
Inter-county titles
Connacht titles 3
All Stars 1

John Maher (born 5 November 1998) is a Gaelic footballer who plays for the Galway county team, and club football for Salthill–Knocknacarra.

Playing career

Maher made his inter-county debut during the 2018 FBD League,[1] but didn't feature in any subsequent National League or Championship campaign until the COVID-hit 2020 National League season against Mayo. He was substituted at half time and would not appear for the county team again until the 2023 FBD League.[2]

His championship debut came against Roscommon in the 2023 Connacht SFC on 23 April, where he scored two points.[3]

Maher missed the first two games of Galway's 2024 Connacht SFC campaign due to injury but he returned for the Connacht SFC final win against Mayo, replacing Kieran Molloy.[4]

The 2024 All-Ireland SFC final was Maher's first appearance in the decider, with Galway losing that game to Armagh.

Maher was nominated[5] for the 2024 PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year, but lost to fellow Galway player Paul Conroy.[6] He was named at centre half-forward in the 2024 All-Star team.

References

  1. ^ Eoghan Cormican. "John Maher on form for Galway after rocky start to career". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 4 March 2025. Made his senior debut against Sligo in the 2018 FBD League.
  2. ^ "John Maher's rehabilitation from a nightmare debut as he hits All Star form for Galway". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  3. ^ "Galway respond to Roscommon surge to seal their place in the Connacht final". The Irish Times. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  4. ^ "Connacht SFC Final: Galway finish with a flourish". GAA.ie.
  5. ^ "2024 PwC GAA/GPA Gaelic Football All-Star nominations announced". GAA.ie. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Conroy and O'Donnell scoop Player of the Year awards". RTÉ.ie. Retrieved 4 March 2025.