Tipperary corner back’s comeback tale should be an inspiration to us all

Donagh Maher put on a defending exhibition from corner back on Saturday in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The Burgess man was a steady block in the Tipperary full back line when all around him was floundering. He was a calming influence in the last line of the a defence that appears bereft of any confidence, and the fact that their goalkeeper, Darragh Mooney, was only making his second Championship appearance doesn’t help this problem. His tigerish spirit was ably backed up by his composure when in possession. The 28-year-old began his day as he meant to go on, and nothing encapsulated his display better than his twelfth minute catch over the head of Conor McGrath, when he had no bloody right to win the ball. He was the scourge of McGrath’s day, and even made crucial blocks on Shane O’Donnell and other Clare attackers in Tipperary’s hour of need. Maher’s display is only the beginning, and as a 28-year-old, you might ask why this assured presence hadn’t truly announced himself on the inter-county scene up to now. The truth is Maher, who has been a key presence in a Burgess club side for years now, has suffered setback after setback in a Tipperary jersey and that’s what makes his redemption all the more admirable. Maher made his Championship debut against Limerick in the 2012 Munster quarter final against Limerick and didn’t do himself justice. He was taken off after 48 minutes, after Graeme Mulcahy scored 1-3 off him, and giving him a torrid day all round. Conor O’Brien replaced Maher the next day out, and he never regained a Championship starting place for Tipperary until they played Westmeath five weeks ago. Maher plugged away after that Limerick game in 2012, but after a few substitute cameos in the intervening, he was dropped off the panel at the start of the 2015 season by then manager in Eamonn O’Shea. The defender continued to perform well for his club, and manager Michael Ryan took note and brought him back into the panel. Throughout these years as a sub, Maher was behind some of the top Tipperary corner backs to have played the game. Paddy Stapleton was always knocking around, as was Michael Cahill, Conor O’Brien and Cathal Barrett. It wasn’t an easy side to break into. A chance arose for Maher this year, with the retirement of Stapleton. Michael Cahill is pushing on, as some poor displays in the league suggested, and Cathal Barrett shot himself in the foot earlier in the year. Again it wasn’t straight forward. Maher started in Tipperary’s opening three League fixtures — against Dublin, Waterford, and Clare — but he sustained a head knock in the latter game that saw him stood down for a period of time under concussion protocols. Just as he was set to return, and by all accounts he was flying in training leading up to the League semi-final with Wexford, he pulled a hamstring while training with his club. At this career juncture, Maher would’ve been forgiven for throwing in the towel. He had been knocking around the Premier panel since 2012 and couldn’t make that breakthrough. These two frustrating injuries would’ve been the tip of the iceberg for many. Maher isn’t like many others. He was then sidelined until the above-mentioned Westmeath game, but after Barrett’s mistake, he took his chance like a man that was hell-bent on finally doing himself justice. That’s why Saturday’s display is only the beginning, and should be an inespiration to all players who have suffered knocks, setbacks and hurt at the hands of the game. Keep coming back and you’ll get your chance. Donagh Maher has set his own standards now, and Tipperary supporters will by baying for his career graph to make that jump that he has always had the ability to.