Liam Sheedy: Bonner the warrior leaves the Tipperary stage to visionary McGrath

Patrick Maher's departure from the inter-county scene leaves one man standing alone from those late noughties. Noelie McGrath continues to shine bright.

Tipperary's Bonner Maher (left) and Noel McGrath double up on Kilkenny's Michael Fennelly in the 2010 All-Ireland final. Pic ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

In every sport you know somebody who brings to life what a jersey represents to people. Somebody you’d love to have in your dressing room, leading by example, emptying every tank. Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher must be high up on most people’s lists. Warrior is the first word everybody reaches for.

He is adored by his own and admired by the rest for the way he went about his business. An insatiable appetite for work inside the white lines instantly connected him to the Tipperary public.