Clough-Ballacolla native Shane Maher is a well-respected mainstay in Laois GAA circles.
Shane has served as Chairperson of Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Laoise since September 2017, as well as secretary and vice-chariperson previously to this.
As part of his role in the Cumann na mBunscol, Shane oversees a committee of 32 members.
Events include football leagues with highest number of finals ever in October, one-wall Handball in November, 40×20 handball in January/February, a table quiz in March, hurling leagues conclude in May and rounders in June.
Shane has also served as a secretary, PRO and County Board Delegate for the decade and on the Strategic Review Committee in 2017.
He currently teaches in The Heath NS since 2010, and in Portarlington GNS and Swords before that.
2018
What was your personal highlight of 2018?
I’m at that age now where so many close friends are getting engaged, married and starting families.
I was honoured to be groomsman for a wonderful wedding this year where Padraic Kavanagh and Teresa Egan, two very close friends of mine, tied the knot.
I really enjoyed something of a college reunion in June when Eugene and Elaine, two friends from my St Pat’s days, got married in Sligo.
I also did a good bit of travelling around Europe this year enjoying a great golf trip in Salou as well as seeing Portugal, Poland and Croatia with my wife, Denise.
Anything you would like to change from 2018?
It wasn’t an easy year to be a Laois or Clough/Ballacolla Hurling supporter. Both underachieved massively and I’ll be praying for improvements next year.
As a Liverpool supporter, the Champions League Final wasn’t my favourite moment ever.
Favourite moment of 2018?
I was down in Wexford for the thrilling Laois Senior and Laois Ladies football comebacks. It was brilliant to hear the ‘Laois Laois Laois’ chant in the second half of both games. The performances by Erone Fitzpatrick and Gareth Dillon were incredible that day.
The trips to Croke Park were amazing; seeing 20 Laois boys and girls playing at half-time was wonderful but there was something very special about seeing Evan O’ Carroll come on and kicking the last score against Carlow in the Leinster semi-final.
He had lost his Dad just days before and it was a lovely moment to be there as a Laois supporter.
Worst moment of 2018?
A few wonderful people were lost to the world in 2018. All my ‘worst moments’ pale in significance compared with their loss.
Best learning experience from 2018?
Our school lost an All-Ireland SpikeBall Final last Spring. The closeness of the game proved to me that the smallest of margins can make huge differences.
This was confirmed a few weeks later when we won an exhilarating Cumann na mBunscol Laoise Hurling Final after extra-time.
Sport is amazing and I’m hugely passionate about children playing and being part of a team. It’s crucial that young people feel connected to something greater than themselves.
Losing that final was heart-breaking for the players involved but to watch some of them bounce back in the hurling was incredible.
Led by their irrepressible captain, PJ Larkin, their attitude was top class; they never gave in, never shirked a challenge and they got their reward in the end.
The Future
What would be the one thing you would like to change in 2019?
Brexit. Direct Provision. The Threat to Portlaoise Hospital. Physical and verbal abuse of referees. The two-tier pay-scale for teachers.
There are so many things I’d like to see change but if I had to pick one it would be the continued lack of provisions for people with mental health issues.
If you could attend any event in 2019 what would it be?
Laois in a Joe McDonagh Cup Final.
It would give hurling in Laois such a boost to see our hurlers getting that exposure.
Going up on the train with the Limerick supporters last August was a brilliant experience but to do it supporting your own would be so special.
Should Laois miss out, the Rugby World Cup in Japan wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize!
What would you like to achieve in 2019?
We have firmed up a link between our Cumann na mBunscol Development Panels and the Setanta and O’Moore Óg programmes.
I think they will run very well and hopefully we’ll see big improvements over the coming years. The players involved are so committed; they bring great attitude and energy so it’s crucial the right structures are in place for them.
Personally, I hope to get back hurling this year. My last Championship appearance saw me chase Tadgh O’ Sullivan from The Harps around a pitch for 40 minutes in a Junior B match in 2012.
Fingers crossed Junior C in 2019 will be slightly better – it couldn’t be any worse!
Where do you hope to see yourself at the end of 2019?
I’ll still be teaching out in a wonderful school in The Heath. I teach sixth class and I’m enjoying the opportunity to work with an amazing bunch of kids this year and looking forward to another really talented class next Autumn.
I’ll hopefully have played a constructive role within Clough/Ballacolla Juvenile club and hopefully I won’t have embarrassed myself too much with my return to the Junior C hurling ranks!
What would be your own personal motto to see you through 2019?
Live less out of habit and more out of intent.
