Man of few words Maher shuns limelight

Birthdays can be a time for some reflection, some box-ticking maybe prior to a quiet chat with yourself to copper-fasten the priorities in life.

Anthony Maher turned 28 the day before the Kerry-Mayo replay in Limerick. Perhaps he had a word with himself. Maybe it was time to lead? He led admirably that evening in the Gaelic Grounds, and was still overshadowed by David Moran’s tour-de-force. And, you know what, that is probably the way he likes it.

The limelight is not for Maher, he may stand at 6’5” but he is softly spoken and a man of few words. So, did he see feel as if he became a leader in Limerick? “I think everyone has had the opportunity at different points during the year to be a leader. Everyone in the panel has really stood up as leaders. It is just great to have that freedom from the management to be able to take on the responsibility when you have to. Leadership and team spirit, though, is built all through the year with the small things that happen in games. I think there has been a good strong spirit there all year.”