Anthony Daly: Strong as a bear, brave as a lion... Pádraic Maher a true big-game player

He was a hugely imposing figure, but Pádraic Maher didn’t just trade on that physique and physicality because he was as brave as a lion

Tipperary’s Pádraic Maher is applauded by the Tipperary minor team as the seniors take to the pitch prior to the 2018 Munster SHC clash with Clare in Thurles. Maher is a true Tipp great. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

After one of the 2018 All-Ireland semi-finals in Croke Park, I retreated to Mulligans in Poolbeg Street with a few friends. After a while a gang of Tipperary lads arrived in, one of whom was Paudie Maher.

I had got to know Paudie from my couple of stints as manager of the Munster inter-provincial team, but that day in Dublin was the first time we got a chance to have a couple of drinks together.