FROM an early age teams and tactics captured Michael Maher’s imagination. Regardless of the sporting code Maher was always fascinated by what was needed to prepare properly, to be physically and mentally tuned.
Despite being only 27 Maher’s CV is already packed with experience. That it is littered with tales from Gaelic Football and soccer merely adds to an interesting story. Like any adventure there have been thrilling highs and demoralising lows. All the time, though, Maher is happy to simply be learning and improving.
Having guided Redhill FC into the Ryman South as a manager in his mid 20s Maher was unfortunately let go by the relegated Surrey outfit last week. It is a setback, but Maher, an optimist is eager to bounce back rapidly, and a new coaching role is craved. “Football is a ruthless environment,” Maher told The Irish Post. “I know that, but you have to accept that things like this might happen if results aren’t going well. Unfortunately my association with Redhill has finished which is a disappointment.
“While I was there I had two or three offers from a higher level, but I felt at the time that they had been loyal to me. I gained great experience there and I achieved promotion with them at a very young age.
“Obviously I’m still young so I would seriously consider working as an assistant or a coach with a club where I could develop my skills. I was one of the youngest managers in the country and I am keen to get back involved as quickly as I can.”
Maher’s diligent efforts with underage teams impressed at Redhill, and it is something from which he takes immense pride and satisfaction having improved the youth set-up. “I had six years overall with Redhill starting off as youth team manager and in my time there I certainly feel that I brought the club forward. I got the team promoted at the first time of asking.”
Former Redhill FC manager Michael Maher.What about a potential switch to the League of Ireland where a string of clubs could benefit by appointing somebody keen, willing, and able to develop a football club? “I definitely would like to test myself in Ireland,” Maher admits. “I have always wanted to live there for a while. Any time I am over I watch games and I don’t think it would be too much of a step up from the level I’ve been involved with in England. If the right opportunity came for me to go abroad I would seriously consider any good offers.”
Maher’s influence, though, is also evident at St Paul’s Academy and with the South London Feile teams, who continue to make an impact. Gaelic Games were always high on the agenda in the Maher household. “My dad is from Kilkenny and both my mum’s parents are Irish too,” Maher explains. “It meant growing up Irish culture and heritage played a huge part in our lives.
“I played hurling with Sean Treacys and Gaelic Football with Round Towers which was always hugely important for me.
“I played for London in the Feiles, and with my dad being very involved with teams and in the County Board I always had an interest in coaching. The volunteer work he did set a real example and it was something which I wanted to do from an early age. I saw the hard work dad had put in.
“When I was about 16 or 17 I felt that the games were dying off a little bit in London so I got involved in coaching with Round Towers. The chance came up for me to take under 12 and 14 teams so it went from there really. The South London Feile success story then started in 2007.”
South London celebrating Feile glory.The screening of the fine documentary ‘Feile Dreams’ brought the South London GAA to a wide audience in Ireland, but Maher feels that so many have contributed to this particular journey. “It is an incredible story,” Maher beams. “In 2007 South London was set up and the work Pat Winston the principal of St Paul’s Academy does for sport is unbelievable.
“It is such a great thing to work alongside him and people like Michael Donnelly and Martin McGrath, who was involved with the Mayo senior team when they got to the All Ireland final in 2004. Eadaoin Devine and Carol Duffy have been brilliant too with Ladies GAA. So many people are doing their best and I think we all realise how important sport is and what an outlet it can provide for kids.
“In 2010 we won Division 5 of the Feile, in 2013 we won Division 4, and last year we won Division 3. The majority of the players come from a tough area, but we have found that sport can keep them engaged. The way they compete and play is so refreshing.
“Last year our team won eight trophies so it was a brilliant campaign for us. We won the Feile and we also won the John Egan tournament at the Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney too which was a great achievement. We are building up towards the Feile again now. The training the kids do is very good; they are so willing to train all of the time. We are going on an eight day tour of Ireland.
“I think there is a serious rejuvenation going on now. What I like is that we don’t interfere with the guys soccer commitments and I think that makes everything more enjoyable. We don’t shut the door on them.” Another one will open shortly for Maher.
