[1][2] Born in Gowran, County Kilkenny, Maher first played competitive hurling during his schooling at St. Kieran's College.
He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty-three when he first linked up with the Kilkenny senior team.
[citation needed] At club level Maher had a brief career with Castle Rovers and Thomastown.
[citation needed] In retirement from playing Maher became involved in team management and coaching.
He left St Kieran’s to become parish priest of Mullinavat in South Kilkenny where he remained until he retired in 1998.