Martin ‘Musha’ Maher was destined to be a hurler. His father, Paddy ‘Whitehead’ was a noted player with both Thurles Sarsfields and Tipperary in the 1930s and 40s. He was a man described as having ‘great hands’, which in hurling circles is a very high accolade. This gift he passed on to his sons, particularly Musha, who from an early age showed great hurling promise. Hurling in mid Tipperary in the 1950s wasn’t for the faint hearted, as the age-old keen rivalry among the clubs was tested on an annual basis. This was when Musha Maher was coming into his own, as a star forward in Sarsfields blue. Both club and county profited handsomely from his uncanny skill of being in the right place at the right time to shoot a vital score. Musha was on the winning Tipperary National Hurling League team in 1957 and the following year, 1958, an All-Ireland senior medal came his way. The mid and county titles followed and by the time he retired in the autumn of 1964, he had amassed an impressive ten mid and nine county hurling medals. In 1961, Musha captained Sarsfields to mid and county success. Factory league competitions with his work colleagues at Thurles Sugar Factory were also won as were several tournaments with Sarsfields, particularly the Cork Churches Tournaments of the late fifties.
The big ball was no stranger to Musha who revelled in the advent of Thurles Crokes winning mid senior football titles in 1960, ’61 and ’62 and that unique county title in 1960.
When his playing days were over, Musha still found time for his club as a team selector for several years and as a committee member for decades. It was no wonder that, when the position of club president became vacant on the death of Musha’s great friend, Mickey ‘The Rattler’ Byrne that it was Musha was given the honour he now holds as President of Thurles Sarsfields.
For the many supporters attending matches, Musha is still a familiar face as a gate checker for years with Munster Council, mid and county Tipperary Boards. Musha is always very popular at social gatherings, where his singing talent uplifts many a celebration.
Musha’s wife, Teresa, is an avid hurling supporter, who will, no doubt, be thrilled that Musha’s contribution to the GAA has been recognised and honoured, as he is inducted into the Mid Tipperary Hall of Fame.
LÓD