Tipperary senior hurling captain Ronan Maher has emphasized that the team's primary focus remains on their own performance and standards, rather than external expectations following their 2025 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship victory. Speaking ahead of the 2026 season, Maher acknowledged the increased scrutiny that comes with being defending champions but stressed the importance of the group blocking out speculation.
"There are always new pressures. Everybody is looking at you as All-Ireland champions. You always have that speculation outside of the group, you just try and block it out and focus on ourselves," Maher stated, as verified in recent interviews. The 2025 win marked Tipperary's 29th All-Ireland title, ending a five-year wait for the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
Maher, a key defender and former Hurler of the Year nominee, highlighted that the driving force within the squad is the pursuit of sustained excellence and the pride of representing the county, not just securing back-to-back championships. The team is currently preparing for the upcoming Munster Championship and National League campaigns under manager Liam Cahill.
The 2026 hurling season presents a significant challenge for Tipperary, as no team has successfully defended the All-Ireland title since Cork achieved the feat in 2004 and 2005. Maher's comments reflect a mindset aimed at maintaining the consistency and hunger required to compete at the highest level in what is expected to be a highly competitive championship.
