Simple question..

Has any player ever won ball dropping into their own square as much as paudie Maher? The man is like a magnet to any frees dropping short in the square.

Begs the question how he's left as the free man in those situations

Brianmac78 (Dublin) - Posts: 1168 - 18/04/2017 16:43:34    1980513

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2446 - 18/04/2017 21:58:58    1980609

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 18/04/2017 22:09:00    1980614

never mind the ignorance of some people....paudie maher, the best in the business to be fair to him

juniorjudge (Waterford) - Posts: 383 - 18/04/2017 22:51:53    1980626

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2446 - 18/04/2017 23:11:25    1980630

It would add a bit more to the thread if you maybe expand on your one word answer and throw out a few names of those who are or were better. I am sure there are a few candidates from your own county.

Westfester (Limerick) - Posts: 941 - 18/04/2017 23:30:31    1980633

He's a beast of a man and a damn fine hurler too. When Tipp were being labelled a soft touch Padraic Maher was the only Tipp player that genuinely scared Kilkenny players and I'm not talking about the Michael Rice injury, I mean in general.

Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 19/04/2017 02:59:46    1980646

There has been no hurler in the country as consistently good as him since he arrived on the scene in 2009. One bad half against Galway and a poor performance against Cork in 2010 are the only poor games he had...both at full back. Consistently 8/9 out of 10 otherwise. Been some great half backs out there but for me he is on his way to being up there with Brian Whelehan as the best...not yet but close. He has dominated every single forward he has marked apart from them two performances including the likes of Henry Shefflin. I'm biased but I think it's fair to say. He has also started to consistently score which is huge for Tipp also. There has never been a back better in the air than him and the only one likely to get there currently playing is his brother.

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 19/04/2017 08:19:46    1980661

You can't possibly compare generations, players, etc. Plenty of great players over the years were just as good. Philly Larkin, Sully, Ollie Canning, Sack Walsh, etc.

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 19/04/2017 11:24:49    1980715

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 19/04/2017 12:34:17    1980752

players are fitter now,cover more ground,training has improved.
if i had a choice between maher and tommy walsh,i would pick tommy.

perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 19/04/2017 12:56:24    1980762

Theres been many a player over the decades great at out fielding an opponent, Tommy Walsh was special as he more often then not gave away height advantage and just used timing to perfection but Maher, jaysus, as I said hes magnetic like, you almost expect to see any ball going in there to end up in his hand. But then add in how he uses it, rarely just drives it away

Must be a dream for a Gleeson to know Maher is there on those dropping balls. Over the last 30 years theres been some quality men under high ball dropping in Tommy, Kevin Kinnahan, Ciaran Carey probably doesn't get enough credit for it. Pat O'Neil from Kilkenny. But I don't think any of them done it as much as what Maher does, every game without fail and a handful of times per game and then what he does with it when he wins it. Top class

Brianmac78 (Dublin) - Posts: 1168 - 19/04/2017 13:05:24    1980765

Brianmac78 (Dublin) - Posts: 1168 - 19/04/2017 13:16:49    1980771

JJ something from Kilkenny I think .... none too shabby
Maher is great , obviously works hard and compensates for lack of pace , ( see Eddie Brennan roast him AIF 2011). I do agree with previous poster his brother could be better but JJ is the best defender to have played the game imo.

Finsceal (None) - Posts: 559 - 19/04/2017 13:29:14    1980778

lowballplease (Galway) - Posts: 935 - 19/04/2017 13:48:48    1980786

JJ Delaney won an awful lot of high ball for KK.Tommy Timber likewise.
Gerry McInerney was a great man to field a ball too.

Condorman (Dublin) - Posts: 983 - 19/04/2017 14:28:38    1980804

With the risk or starting a riot I'll add something to the argument. Maher is unreal to win ball BUT his delivery is shocking. Most balls are pumped high and long to a huge roar from the crowd. The roar masks the fact that the ball has put his forwards under a huge disadvantage as it takes half the day to fall from the sky. Watch him on Sunday and then tell me im wrong.

mike03 (Limerick) - Posts: 2000 - 19/04/2017 14:49:21    1980811

Finsceal (None) - Posts: 559 - 19/04/2017 15:40:39    1980836

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 19/04/2017 16:34:51    1980849

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 19/04/2017 16:37:17    1980850