LAOIS HURLING SENSATION Stephen Maher has been tearing up the script already this summer, but for starters there’s one thing we had to get to the bottom of.
When Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher was awarded the Opel GAA GPA Player of the month award for May yesterday, there was no better opportunity to find out the story behind ‘picky’?
“I was waiting on this question,” joked the 21 year-old student. “When I was one I used to pick in bins. Hard to believe yeah, but my uncle started calling me ‘Picky’ and it’s stuck on ever since.”
It’s certainly has stuck. ‘Picky’s been on the tip of hurling tongues across the country lately with the youngster being an integral part of an emerging Laois team.
A Laois team who could have, maybe even should have, beaten Galway in the Leinster quarter final.
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Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“There was absolute devastation after it. No-one knew what to say. We came so close and probably could have edged over the line against a team of their experience.
“We were going five weeks in a row and the last ten minutes you are emotionally and mentally drained. It is just hard to stay going at that championship pace.”
Last year Laois were widely praised for a battling performance which brought Galway to within seven points, but this time around there were just two points between the teams.
“Last year everyone was delighted to even get that close. This year we were fully confident going in. To lose out by two points in the end it was just pure devastation.”
“To get that first step, knock down the door and beat a big team and things will fall into place. It’s all about beating that one big team, the one big scalp and we’ll go from there.”
Picky says they didn't perform against Antrim this year. Ken Sutton / INPHO
Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO
Maher made his senior debut in 2012, meaning unlike a number of the older members of the panel he hasn’t been on the receiving end of too many of the ‘beatings’ dished out to the county over the years.
“You have to look past those kind of years. We are a new team now under Seamus. We are making great strides and the underage development is huge. We just have to look forward to the years ahead.
“A lot of the older lads on the team would have got a lot more beatings. We didn’t think we would make these kind of strides but you have to try and play the best and beat the best.”
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Central to Laois’ Leinster hurling famine (since 1949) has been rumoured infighting within the panel over the years, stemming from bitter club rivalries within the county.
“Definitely. You would hear lads talking about a few years ago and that the group wasn’t united. Everyone wasn’t getting on. There were lads sticking to their corners. Everyone gets along now.
“You would swear you were in your own club dressing-room. Everyone would die for each other now.”
“Cheddar’s a massive part. The man loves it. He would do anything for you or anything for Laois. He keeps the wheel turning, really. Since he came in he has been the biggest part of it. His drive and determination to do whatever he can for you.”
Stephen 'Picky' Maher on THAT nickname and what's changed in Laois
LAOIS HURLING SENSATION Stephen Maher has been tearing up the script already this summer, but for starters there’s one thing we had to get to the bottom of.
When Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher was awarded the Opel GAA GPA Player of the month award for May yesterday, there was no better opportunity to find out the story behind ‘picky’?
“I was waiting on this question,” joked the 21 year-old student. “When I was one I used to pick in bins. Hard to believe yeah, but my uncle started calling me ‘Picky’ and it’s stuck on ever since.”
It’s certainly has stuck. ‘Picky’s been on the tip of hurling tongues across the country lately with the youngster being an integral part of an emerging Laois team.
A Laois team who could have, maybe even should have, beaten Galway in the Leinster quarter final.
“We were going five weeks in a row and the last ten minutes you are emotionally and mentally drained. It is just hard to stay going at that championship pace.”
Last year Laois were widely praised for a battling performance which brought Galway to within seven points, but this time around there were just two points between the teams.
“Last year everyone was delighted to even get that close. This year we were fully confident going in. To lose out by two points in the end it was just pure devastation.”
Maher made his senior debut in 2012, meaning unlike a number of the older members of the panel he hasn’t been on the receiving end of too many of the ‘beatings’ dished out to the county over the years.
“You have to look past those kind of years. We are a new team now under Seamus. We are making great strides and the underage development is huge. We just have to look forward to the years ahead.
Central to Laois’ Leinster hurling famine (since 1949) has been rumoured infighting within the panel over the years, stemming from bitter club rivalries within the county.
“Definitely. You would hear lads talking about a few years ago and that the group wasn’t united. Everyone wasn’t getting on. There were lads sticking to their corners. Everyone gets along now.
“Cheddar’s a massive part. The man loves it. He would do anything for you or anything for Laois. He keeps the wheel turning, really. Since he came in he has been the biggest part of it. His drive and determination to do whatever he can for you.”
GAA to examine penalty rules after Waterford’s tactics against Anthony Nash
Here’s our hurling XV from the weekend’s championship action
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Championship 2014 GAA picky Stephen "Picky" Maher Laois