How John Maher went from sitting in the stand after nightmare debut to an All-Star

The Galway man is one of three nominees for the footballer of the year award. 

CHAMPIONSHIP MINUTES: John Maher of Galway holds off Rian O’Neill of Armagh during the All-Ireland decider. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

John Maher couldn’t sit still. It was 2022, Galway’s first All-Ireland final appearance in over 20 years. His best friend was lining out at corner-forward. He was watching from the Cusack Stand.

“I remember I couldn’t go for a few with everyone in town beforehand, I was so nervous, I just headed straight in,” he recalls now.