[1] Widely regarded as one of the Thurles Sarsfields club's all-time greats, Maher's career spanned three decades.
Over the following fifteen years he was a regular member of the half-back line, and won further All-Ireland Championship medals in 1937 and as captain of the team in 1945.
His father, "Long" Dinny Maher, had been involved with the Thurles Blues side that won the first ever All-Ireland hurling title in 1887.
In later years, other members of the Maher clan were instrumental in the purchase of Thurles Sportsfield, later Semple Stadium.
In his playing days he was known as a fierce opponent who manned the Tipperary half back line like his life depended on it.
John held the honour of being the oldest man ever to captain an All-Ireland winning team at either hurling or football when he lifted the Liam McCarthy at the age of 37 after the 1945 final, but this honor is subsequently held by Jim Ware who at the age of 40 captained Waterford to the 1948 All Ireland defeat of Dublin.
The first half was a close affair; however, goals by Martin Kennedy and captain John Joe Callanan gave Tipp the edge.
That year Maher collected a second Munster medal as his side defeated Limerick, the reigning All-Ireland champions, in the provincial decider.
The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Kilkenny provide the opposition, however, the game was a much closer affair than the previous meeting, Tipp took a 4–3 to 0–3 lead at half-time, however, 'the Cats' came storming back after the interval.
Maher also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial hurling competition and enjoyed much success winning six Railway Cup medals.