Laois garda and hurley-maker lead Tipperary to all-Ireland glory

THE Tipperary all-Ireland Hurling Final winning team was captained by a Portlaoise garda, a hurley maker and history maker.

Garda Ronan Maher, while a Tipperary man, has been based at the Portlaoise Garda Station for the past few years and serves as a community garda.

Tributes and congratulations poured in for the three-time all-Ireland winning hurler (2016 and 2019) from many of his work colleagues in Laois.

Ahead of the game gardaí in the Laois/Offaly Division said: “Wishing our very own Garda Ronan Maher the very best of luck this Sunday as he leads Tipperary GAA out as captain in the all-Ireland Hurling Final. It’s a huge honour — and one you carry with humility, grit, and no shortage of skill. Whatever way the result goes, we’re all immensely proud of you. Wearing the Tipp jersey with pride and the Garda uniform with integrity — it doesn’t get much better than that.” 

Portlaoise GAA Club said: “Congrats to Portlaoise based community Garda Ronan Maher who captained Tipperary to an unbelievable All-Ireland win today in Croke Park. Ronan was superb today, as he was all year, and he is a front runner for hurler of the year. Well done Ronan. From everybody in Portlaoise GAA. Hon Tipp.” 

The 29-year old defender plays his club games with Thurles Sarsfields.

A hurley maker by trade Ronan was mentioned in the post-march speeches by GAA President Jarlath Burns as being “from hurley-maker to history-maker.”