Maher stakes claim for Munster final starting spot

YOUNG Hurler of the Year Brendan Maher came through his competitive comeback unscathed yesterday , scoring three points for Borrisoleigh in their North Tipperary SHC defeat by Kildangan.

Maher had been out of action since breaking his ankle in March but is now in contention for a starting place in the All-Ireland champions’ Munster SHC final against Waterford on July 10.

Borrisoleigh’s 2-14 to 4-16 defeat by Kildangan consigns them to the county senior hurling championship knockout stages but Maher played the full hour on his comeback. Maher, 22, scored a sideline cut, a point from play and converted a free for a three-point haul, while Tipperary team-mate Paddy Stapleton scored 1-1 for Borrisoleigh.

Stapleton, who operates at corner back for the county team, did not start in the Munster semi-final against Clare as he was recovering from injury. But Stapleton, 25, replaced John O’Keeffe at half-time and is expected to start in the provincial final showdown with the Déise.

Maher, meanwhile, is tipped to slot into the Tipperary half-back line, with Gearóid Ryan and Shane McGrath expected to get the nod as a midfield partnership once again.

Encouragingly for manager Declan Ryan, he now appears to have a full panel to pick from as Seamus Hennessy came through a club match for Kilruane McDonaghs last week.