Walsall's Ronan Maher reflects on Tamworth loan and international adventure

Tamworth would ultimately win the shoot-out and set-up a mouth-watering third round tie against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup. 

A dream beckoned for Maher but injury would ultimately deprive him the chance of mixing it with the Premier League giants. 

"The injury came at a time which was just before the Tottenham game. So I unfortunately missed that but I was trying my hardest to get back for it," Maher recalls.

"It was probably too soon for me to comeback for that game, but as soon as I was fit and ready to play games, I just wanted to pick up where I left off." 

Maher hit the ground running after returning to the Lamb for his second loan spell in February. 

The Walsall youngster hit three goals and three assists in 14 appearances and will return to Walsall for the remainder of the campaign after his Tamworth loan expired last week.

After a fruitful loan at Rushall Olympic in the National League North last term, Maher has been pleased with his personal progression during the past two seasons. 

"Just moving up step-by-step. Obviously I was in the National League North last season with Rushall and was able to get a good amount of games.

"Now I've stepped up to the next level with Tamworth in the National League and now I was have my sights set on trying to do that in League Two.

"Playing is where you learn the most so going to Rushall and then Tamworth has really helped me."

Maher was also among a trio of Walsall players who jetted off to Spain to represent Republic of Ireland under-21s during the international break in March. 

The 20-year-old made his debut from the bench in a 2-0 defeat against Scotland before featuring from the start in a 3-1 victory over Hungary. 

Ireland will start their Under-21 European Championship qualification campaign in September and have been pitted in the same group as England who they face in November. 

And Maher is hopeful of building on his first two caps as he targets more chances on the international stage.

"The under-19s debut was the proudest achievement because that was my first cap but to go up to the under-21s which is only one step away from the first team," he 

"To get in the green jersey of Ireland again was another proud moment for me and my family. My mum and dad both came over the watch so it was nice to experience that moment with them.

"It was amazing starting the game against Hungary. Signing the national anthem was a great feeling."

"The qualifiers are in September and we've got a tough group. England are in there but it'll be a good test for us to play against the best players at under-21 level."