Never lost it – Video of 89-year-old legendary St Matthews coach goes viral
Boxing is nothing like riding a bike, but it’s a skill set Stephen Maher has never forgotten.
The 89-year-old caught the attention of hundreds of thousands on social media today after his granddaughter filmed him on the bag.
Despite fast approaching ninety, the grandfather looks fitter than some half his age and still packs a punch.
Never lost it my grandad 89 years of age!! Fit as a fiddle #boxing@frankbrunoboxer@FloydMayweather@TheNotoriousMMApic.twitter.com/AYzKptE25m
— Ciara Maher (@MaherCiara4) September 22, 2019
Maher is a much respected member of the boxing community and is remember, particularly in and around Ballyfermot for a lot more than a viral video.
The Dubliner was a founder member of St Matthews Boxing club and campaigned for years to get funding to build the new premises for the club.
Originally the club, which was opened in 1979, operated in a barely fit for purpose room in Mary Queen of Angels.
There it stayed for 20 years until, after what can only be described as relentless lobbying from Maher, the club eventually received the funds required to open new facilities on Drumfin Road.
Maher didn’t just play an important role in improving the facilities at St Matthews he coached a lot of Ballyfermot kids to boxing success.
He was the first coach of current world title hopeful Luke Keeler – and ‘Cool Hand’ has made it a point not to forget him – he would have also worked with Stephen Ormond and Ian Tims who boxed out of the club.
He also was part of the coaching set up that helped Robbie Murray and Christy Meredith, who won a Junior European medal as well the likes of Stephen Keeler, Liam Murphy and Patrick Murray who won National Intermediate titles.
