Maher quits Déise post amid links to Dublin

William Maher has stepped down as assistant manager of the Waterford senior hurling team.

Maher, 35, informed manager Derek McGrath of his decision yesterday after serving one season alongside the De La Salle man.

Maher guided Tipperary to All-Ireland minor hurling glory in 2012 and cut his teeth in senior management with the Déise.

And now Tipperary’s 1996 All-Ireland minor winning captain has been linked with a potential new role in the Dublin set-up, following Anthony Daly’s exit. Maher, a selector with the Tipperary U21 All-Ireland winning hurlers in 2010, played down the Dublin speculation but has worked with a number of the Sky Blue senior stars.

Maher is a former coach and selector at minor level with Dublin, when he worked alongside Shay Boland, the favourite to succeed Daly.

Maher said: “Dublin remain one of the top teams in the country and of course, it’s flattering to be linked with such a big job.

“But there has been no official contact and that is all speculation.”

Maher and his wife, former Ireland hockey captain Linda Caulfield, recently celebrated the birth of their second child and he cited work and family commitments for his decision to vacate the Waterford post.

Maher said: “Derek McGrath is a fantastic young manager, one of the best in the game. It was a brilliant opportunity to work with him. He’s a top class, innovative guy and Waterford are very lucky to have him.

“Derek brings a real attention to detail and the relationship that he has built with these players in one year is very strong.

“Waterford are in a good position going forward. They remain in a transitional period but Derek is the right man to take them forward.”