Shaun Maher (born 10 June 1978 in Finglas, Dublin) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender.

Shaun Maher
Personal information
Full name Shaun Maher
Date of birth (1978-06-10) 10 June 1978 (age 45)
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Position(s) Centre back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997 Bohemians 12 (?)
1997–1999 Fulham 3 (0)
2000–2001 Bohemians 54 (?)
2001–2007 AFC Bournemouth 117 (5)
2008 Drogheda United 15 (1)
2009–2010 Sporting Fingal 38 (1)
2011 Galway United 13 (0)
2011 Limerick 1 (0)
2012 Monaghan United[1] x (x)
2013 Ballymena United 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:43, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

Maher played for Stella Maris before he signed for Bohemians in 1996. He made his first team debut, in Belarus, in the UEFA Cup away to Dinamo Minsk in July 1996. Having established himself as a first team regular, he was enticed away to Kevin Keegan's Fulham in December 1997. He managed to make 3 first team appearances as a teenager at Craven Cottage. He returned to Bohs in September 1998. He enjoyed a tremendous season in 2000/01 when winning the "Double" of League of Ireland and FAI Cup. He also scored the equalising goal against Aberdeen in a 2–1 away win at Pittodrie in the UEFA Cup that season.[2]

After playing and scoring in the Champions League qualifiers in the summer of 2001,[1] Maher moved to AFC Bournemouth where he played until December 2007. During Maher's time at Bournemouth he embarked on his coaching career working with the Centre of Excellence at the club, whilst completing his coaching qualifications with the English FA. In January 2008, Maher was enticed home and signed for the current Champions Drogheda United where he again played in the Champions League qualifiers.

In January 2009 he signed for Sporting Fingal in a player coach capacity whilst continuing his coaching qualifications with the FAI (Football Association of Ireland). [2]. Sporting Fingal achieved promotion to the Premier Division and better was to come as Fingal and Maher won the FAI Cup when beating Sligo Rovers 2–1 at Tallaght Stadium in tandem with helping develop the clubs younger players.[3]

After Sporting Fingal ceased operations [4] Maher and the other players were released from their contracts.

He then signed for Galway United for the 2011 campaign. Due to Galway's financial difficulties he signed for Limerick F.C. in July 2011.

Shaun rejoined his old boss Roddy Collins at Monaghan United for the 2012 season as player/assistant manager. On 18 June 2012, the club announced their withdrawal from the League of Ireland and all of their playing and coaching staff were released by the club.[5]

In June 2012 Shaun worked in a coaching capacity with Dundalk while working on his UEFA A-Licence Coaching Diploma.

After completing his UEFA A-Licence Coaching Qualification Shaun Maher signed a short-term deal with County Antrim Shield Winners Ballymena United

Shaun is now an assistant coach with Shelbourne Ladies Football Club in Dublin. The side have won both the FAI Cup Final and the Women's National League in 2016.

Honours edit

Bohemians

Sporting Fingal

References edit

  1. ^ All Monaghan United players' statistics for the 2012 season were expunged after Monaghan withdrew from the league mid-season.
  2. ^ "Soccer: Bohs embarrass Aberdeen in UEFA Cup". RTE.ie. Archived from the original on 16 July 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Fingal win FAI Cup". RTE.ie. 10 February 2011. Archived from the original on 30 March 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  4. ^ "Sporting Fingal cease operations". RTÉ.ie. Archived from the original on 13 February 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Monaghan United withdraw from league". extratime.ie. Archived from the original on 23 June 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2018.

External links edit