# Ronan Maher (footballer)

Ronan Arjun Maher (born 30 December 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Tamworth on loan from EFL League Two club Walsall. Born in England, he represents the Republic of Ireland at youth level.

## Club career

Maher played futsal at an early age, and played football at West Bromwich Albion for four years before being released at under-11 level. He then joined Walsall at the age of eleven and was the under-18 team's top-scorer during the 2021–22 campaign. He made his first-team debut on the opening day of the 2022–23 season on 30 July 2022, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute in a 4–0 win over Hartlepool United at the Bescot Stadium. He signed a three-year professional contract the following month.
He scored his first professional goal for Walsall on 8 August 2023 in a 3–4 EFL Cup first round defeat to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
On 25 August 2023, Maher signed for National League North side Rushall Olympic on a youth loan until 6 January 2024. Maher made his debut for The Pics on the following day in a 1–1 draw with Banbury United. He was recalled from his loan spell on 7 November 2023 before returning to Rushall, on a loan deal to the end of the season, on 26 January 2024.
On 22 November 2024, Maher joined National League side Tamworth on a one-month loan deal. He scored Tamworth's 94th-minute equaliser in their second round FA Cup encounter at Burton Albion, sending the game to penalties which Tamworth went on to win 4–3.

## International career

Maher made his debut for the Republic of Ireland under-19 team in a 6–0 win over Gibraltar on 21 September 2022. He started in the following game, a 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification match with Wales, which ended in a 2–0 victory for the Irish. Walsall manager Michael Flynn said that he was "very proud of Ronan".
On 13 March 2025, Maher received his first Republic of Ireland U21 call up for their friendlies against Scotland U21 & Hungary U21 in Spain.

## Personal life

Born in England, Maher is of Irish and Indian descent.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 10 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Walsall | 2022–23 | League Two | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Walsall | 2023–24 | League Two | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Walsall | 2024–25 | League Two | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Walsall | Walsall total | Walsall total | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 29 | 1 |
| Rushall Olympic (loan) | 2023–24 | National League North | 25 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 4 | 34 | 8 |
| Tamworth (loan) | 2024–25 | National League | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 41 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 4 | 66 | 10 |
* 1 2 3 Appearance/s in the EFL Trophy
* ↑ appearance/s in the Staffordshire Senior Cup and Walsall Senior Cup
* ↑ Appearance in the FA Trophy

## Honours

Rushall Olympic
* Staffordshire Senior Cup: 2023–24
* Walsall Senior Cup: 2023–24