Ronan Maher (footballer)

Ronan Arjun Maher (born 30 December 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for 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.

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".

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

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