By Cian O’Connell

The planning and plotting never stops for Michael Maher. There is always a team to train, a player to monitor, and some mission to accomplish.

Ratified for another year as manager of the London senior football team, Maher remains optimistic. Undoubtedly tough times were endured in 2023 with London only registering one point in the Allianz Football League before losing in the Connacht SFC against Sligo.

Nuggets of encouragement were available in the Tailteann Cup. “It was a frustrating year, 2023, I guess on a number of fronts,” is Maher’s honest assessment.

“We had a very disrupted league campaign, probably collectively there was a lot more we could have done. In the Tailteann Cup we really did make massive ground, we were seconds away from going through to a knockout game, which just shows the benefit of the competition.

“We had lost two games, but still in the 77th minute there was something to play for. It is a wonderful competition, there is a lot to look forward to and we have a lot of things we will be hoping to improve on next year.”

A draw with Laois in early June following losses to Offaly and Cavan illustrated London’s durability. Maher is adamant that the current format in the Tailteann Cup affords teams a real opportunity to develop. “If you have a group of four with only two going through, then there will always be dead rubbers,” Maher adds.

“The fact that three were going through, more or less, from every group, bar one, meant there was something on every game. It came right down to the wire. I remember, particularly that day, we had an eye on how the Tipperary and Waterford game was going because it had a bearing on our game.

“That was great. If only two teams were going through, us and Laois would have been a dead rubber game to an extent. It was brilliant, it kept the players fresh, hungry, and honest. It kept the group motivated all the way until the end of the season which is hugely important.”

Covid restricted inter-county campaigns disturbed all teams, particularly London, but Maher relished the full calendar. Between league and championship London were involved in 11 matches.

“There will be a few changes to the playing personnel, without a shadow of a doubt,” Maher says regarding the future.

“We didn't get the results we'd have liked in the league, but it is well documented we were down five or six heavy hitters in terms of our key players with injuries. Liam Gavaghan, he didn't play much of the league, Enda Lynn, Cahir Healy, Liam Gallagher, Conal Gallagher, these guys would be pushing for a place in most county teams in Ireland.

"We were without them so that did disrupt our league. The performances and results wouldn't have been what we wanted - whatsoever.

“We met a Sligo team, who were in a completely opposite place to us, they were on the crest of a wave. They won nearly every league game, we hadn't won any league games, they had great consistency in their group. We just didn't do ourselves justice on Connacht Championship day. The six week break until the Tailteann Cup gave us a chance to reset.

“We weren't match ready against Offaly, but against Cavan and Laois the performances were pretty good. I couldn't have asked any more from the players in those last few weeks.

“It just showed the promise that is there within the group against Laois in the last game. You have to cling on to all of the good bits of that and all the good stuff we did in the last six to eight weeks. We have to bring them and more into the new season.”

Maher knows the value and relevance of homegrown players in the London set-up. As a London born manager Maher wants the county team to flourish for a number of reasons.

“There is definitely a balancing act,” Maher says when asked about affording opportunities to emerging footballers. “Not every young lad that you get in London, who plays for the London juniors will make that step up.

“The County Board have created a stepping stone with the London junior team. This year we had two more London born boys really put themselves in the squad in terms of Aidan McLoughlin and Josh (Obahor). Aidan started every game and Josh really developed over the course of the year. He started the last three games for us.”

Patience is necessary according to Maher. “There has been some great success stories, but it is a balancing act,” Maher remarks. “Look at the end of the day we will be trying to pick the best 30 lads to represent the London senior football team next year. It doesn't matter where they are from, we will be picking the best players.

“One or two of the London born lads, who have come through the London junior team that we will be hoping to make the step up. Until we get back together in October or November and these lads are training with you full-time, you never really know. Josh was a prime example.

“It took him four or five months to really find his feet, once he did, he hasn't looked back. So it was really good to see another two London born players make their mark on the group.

“We have a job, to pick the best 30 players in London. If some of them are London born, great, but if they aren't the lads who are in the development process, their time will come.”

Cahir Healy, who served the Laois football and hurling causes with distinction for more than a decade, was part of the London panel under Maher for the past couple of campaigns. “I can't speak highly enough of Cahir,” Maher says.

“He had a very interrupted campaign with some setbacks injury wise, but his commitment, his attention to detail, it never waned. Cahir is obviously at the opposite end of a playing career compared to a lot of guys.

“He is a role model to every inter-county footballer or hurler in terms of his lifestyle, his application, his dedication, his honesty, his support, and his complete willingness to put the team before himself at all times. It was great that he got a chance to play against his native county in the Tailteann Cup because he missed the league game.”

Healy, who is managing St Brendan’s in London, still has plenty to offer on the inter-county beat according to Maher. “I'd be hopeful that Cahir will commit for another season,” Maher adds.

“He has taken his first steps into club management over here which is great to see, it speaks volumes that he has found the time to commit to it, while also playing for the team. A great fella, a great role model, and for every young player, if you model yourself on him, you won't go too far wrong.”

Even with inter-county activity ceased Maher is managing Round Towers mens and ladies teams. The London job, though, is in his mind constantly. There is never any shortage of sporting action. “The Club Senior Championship starts this weekend,” he laughs. “My own club are out against Thomas McCurtains, it is a round robin with groups of four.

“So we will have a close eye on those games going on this weekend. The Junior and Intermediate Championships already started. I was at a number of those games in the last few weeks. We have got to cast the net, we will be looking at bringing in maybe 12 to 15 fresh faces this year.

“You will always lose a couple with London. Also the group needs to be freshened up with a fresh impetus injected into the group. It will be a busy couple of weeks ahead getting everything in place with the club managements, mens and ladies, with the inter-county job. It is really enjoyable, you wouldn't do it if you didn't enjoy it even if it is very busy at the minute.”

That fun part isn’t lost on Maher. Satisfaction can be derived in different ways. The objective for London in 2024 is simply to glean a couple of victories.

“There is huge enjoyment, you couldn't do it if you didn't enjoy it,” Maher says. “There is a sense of pride any day you go out as a player or a manager representing your county. There is a huge, huge enjoyment and fulfilment behind it and it is a journey.

“It really is a journey, any inter-county panel is the same, but especially for London as it is so different and hybrid, put together with people from so many different places.

“The fact that Gaelic Games is bringing a group of 40 odd people together four times a week, spending huge amount of time in each others company, it is a journey. You have to enjoy it and it is enjoyable.

“Some good results along the way goes another long way to making the whole thing a really, really enjoyable experience. That has to be our aim and it will be our aim, that we pick up some wins.”

Maher’s Gaelic Games adventure rolls on.