Photo: Mayo GAA Year Book 1989
It was enormously sad to learn earlier on today about the death of former Mayo GAA player Greg Maher. The shock of this sad news was amplified by its occurrence so close to the big day up ahead for the county on Sunday.
Claremorris native Greg Maher knew plenty about big Mayo days at Croke Park. He lined out at midfield on the minor team of 1985 that won the All-Ireland that year and four years later he was on the starting fifteen in the senior final against Cork. Remarkably that match was his first ever senior championship start for the county and he acquitted himself well in a decider we lost narrowly.
That 1989 final was, of course, the first of seven deciders we’ve contested over the last three decades and in all I’ve been told that close on eighty players have lined out at some stage for us in those finals of 1989, 1996, 1997, 2004, 2006, 2012 and 2013. Greg is the first of that select group to pass away.
Sincere condolences to his wife Mary, brothers Seán, Thomas and Padraig, sisters Patricia and Clare and to his extended family and friends. May this great servant of Mayo GAA rest in peace.
Details of funeral arrangements are here. Edwin McGreal has a nice tribute piece to Greg in the Mayo News here.
Very sad news to hear of Greg Maher’s death, he was a fantastic minor with Mayo, doubt if they would have won the All Ireland without him.. RIP
Yes, sad news. Unfortunately that is another member of the 1985 minor team squad that is now deceased. May he rest in peace.
That is sad news, I may be corrected but from what I remember he had the ball as the semi against Tryone finished in ’89 and raised it above his head triumphantly.
Its an image I have always had being as it was the first time in my lifetime we actually got to an All-Ireland.
Rest in Peace and thank you for the memories.
Sad news. Such a young man. Condolences to his wife and family and to Claremorris GAA
Sad news on the week it is. Greg Maher rest in peace and comfort to those who grieve his loss.
Greg was both a giant and a gent who will be missed. RIP.
Very saddened to hear this news. I had the pleasure of knowing Greg as we would have competed against each other in the haydays of the Jarlaths v Colmans, memorrable and sometimes epic, Connaught Colleges Footballing days of the early 80’s. Indeed I would have known him from the Mayo Club scene too at underage level because Ballina Stephenites against Claremorris were titanic struggles back in those days. I always admired Greg’s powerful presence on the Ball. He was a giant of a young fella to be up against. A lovely fella to meet off the field too. Rest in Peace Greg. I’ll be thinking of you on Sunday especially
RIP, so sad to see such a young man slip from our hands. May God grant those who’s heart sorrow due strength and timely comfort from times spent in his company.
God grant rest to Greg and consolation to all who mourn him/
RIP. He will live on in our memories.Condolences to his wife and family
Rest in peace. I was young at the time but I used to think when the Maher Brothers played we were the biggest team in Ireland.
RIP Greg Maher. Condolences to his family. Puts it all in perspective.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam …..RIP Greg Maher.
Very sad news. RIP – condolences to his family and friends.
Will be making his final journey during an all Ireland final in which mayo are involved. Safe travelling Greg. RIP
Very sad to hear of Greg’s passing. RIP
RIP Greg – we will remember you in Croke Park on Sunday!
Greg will be always be there for the Green and Red.
Very sad news indeed.
Very saddened by the passing of our former great, represented Mayo with distinction, enjoyed many days after games in castlebar in his company. It’s a very sad weekend for the Green and Red, the best possible way we can honour his memory is give him a minutes applause instead of the silence, and to bring back to Mayo what eluded him, and so many other players…… SAM!!!
RIP Greg. Condolences to his wife, and family. He was a wonderful footballer, and I’m sure he will be sadly missed by all GAA followers.
I knew Greg well growing up in Claremorris. His strength and power both on and off the pitch was awesome. Despite being the strongest boy in town he was not a bully, just played everyone straight as he saw them. A Sound Man, sadly missed. RIP
I’m with you Fear an Chomórtas. A prolonged and thunderous applause for Greg in Croker!
RIP
RIP Greg, a sad day for Mayo football. I remember well himself and Sean lining out in 89. He’ll be with us and in all our thoughts on Sunday.
RIP Greg Maher.
Very sad news in the build up to such a major Mayo football event.
puts everything in perspective, RIP Greg. We will all be thinking of him and his family prior to throw in. Hopefully the players can channel some of that winning magic from Greg and the class of ’85 come 3:30 on Sunday.
Rest In Peace Greg. That picture of the man above surely epitomised the player he was with that ‘thou shalt not past’ attitude and drive. If each and every one of our players can replicate it this Sunday then he will be looking on proudly. He is a reminder of the savage talent that we have produced down through the years.
A powerhouse. May he rest in peace
Very sad indeed – that somebody from the ’89 generation should pass away so soon is truly shocking.
I still recall the impact he made as a sub against Tyrone in the ’89 semi final. Starting him in the final was a big call by Johnno, but a deserved one.
RIP Greg. Knew him well from St Colmans,. A monster of a man.
RIP Greg Maher.
From Primary School straight through St Colman’s and Claremorris, he always appeared a big man and was awful strong. There was huge pride for Claremorris in ’85 with Greg and Michael Cummims, Kevin Beirne and Jonny French winning the All Ireland, and again in 1989 when Greg and Sean played in the final against Cork. He should have played more for Mayo. Most of all he was very friendly, a great lad.
RIP Greg.
Wonderful football family. He’s a Mayo legend. Crying shame, let’s hope the lads do it for him on Sunday.
Gentleman on and off the pitch- played with Greg in Claremorris and Colmans
The first time I seen him play was at U16 Level playing for Mayo in the Ted Webb Cup. He was a man among boys back then, I will never forget that day or Him. I remember him catching the ball for the start of the second half, tearing done the middle kicking an almighty point only to realise he kick it over his own crossbar. He laughed it off and dominated the rest of the game. Later in 1988 i played against him and loss in a County U21 Final, we were the defending champs that day but he was the best player on the pitch. May he rest in peace but never forgotten.
I played against him many times for Sligo at underage levels. He was a huge strong man at an early age but a gentle giant off the field.
May he rest in peace
Went to School with Greg He was a great Footballer and all round sportsman. A lad we all looked up to throughout our school years
I hadn’t seen him in years but he looked after me when I was a student playing for Civil Service when studying at Portobello. Great company and would do anything for you. It was a pleasure lining out beside you and chatting after in the Portobello. Goodbye big man. Curry.