Why Ronan Maher's success would be a major coup for Walsall's academy

Ronan Maher is approaching last chance saloon territory at Walsall - but he will be hoping that he can benefit from the club entering a new era.

The 21-year-old has just 12 months left to run on the two-year deal, which he penned with the Saddlers last summer.

It’s been almost four years since Maher made his senior debut at the age of 17 from the bench in a 4-0 win over Hartlepool United in July 2022.

However, Maher has started just twice in the league since and failed to break into the first team under former head coach Mat Sadler.

Versatility could work in Maher’s favour

He impressed on loan at Rushall Olympic in the National League North in 2023-24 and has had a series of loan spells with Tamworth in the division below during the past two seasons.

It remains to be seen whether he has what it takes to make the grade at Walsall, but he will certainly need to seize whatever chances come his way.

What he can offer is versatility. Maher has played as a No 8 and at wing-back for the Saddlers, and was deployed on both wings and as a No 10 at Tamworth.

That type of adaptability could work in his favour when new head coach Lee Grant is plotting his plans for next season.

Breakthrough would be huge for Walsall’s academy

His breakthrough would also be a major coup for the academy, and will serve as an example to the next generation such as Jenson Kilroy, Stan Straw and Will Etheridge.

The youth need a role model to follow and success for Maher would prove physical evidence that there is indeed a pathway from the academy to the first team.

Walsall have made great strides on the youth development front in the past couple of years.

Straw signed his first professional deal in March after impressing in the EFL Trophy - while Paul Makavore and McLloyd Oben also featured in the competition.

Kilroy had his option year triggered earlier this month and 17-year-old Etheridge made his senior bow from the bench on the final day at Bromley.

In doing so, the teenage midfielder became the first academy player to make his debut for Walsall in a league match since Maher.

But Maher now faces the difficult task of nailing down a first team place.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 international has made 33 appearances for Walsall, but has amassed just 1,261 minutes of action on the pitch in the process.

He has not featured in the league since a pair of cameos from the bench in August 2024, but Maher will be hoping that the Grant era promises brighter times ahead.