Former Castleford Tigers and Hull KR man Will Maher has retired from rugby league, it has been announced.
Initially from Cumbria, he came through the ranks at Castleford Tigers before making his debut in a defeat to Warrington Wolves in 2024.
He was with the club at Wheldon Road for six seasons but struggled to ever truly break into the first team, and spent time on loan with clubs including Batley Bulldogs and Halifax Panthers.
However, he moved on to feature prominently for Hull KR in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 Super League seasons with the club.
Since then, he has been playing in the RFL Championship and League One on a return to Halifax Panthers, with Dewsbury Rams and most recently Keighley Cougars, with whom he reached the promotion final, where they lost to Hunslet.
However, the front-rower has now called time on his career.
It was announced this week by Keighley Cougars that Maher has retired with immediate effect, with the club saying via Twitter:
“The club would like to wish Will Maher all the best in his retirement from Rugby League.
“A great servant to the game with over 170 career appearances, 81 of which came at Super League level with 24 for Keighley Cougars.
“Happy Retirement, Will!”
He had joined Halifax Panthers on a two-year deal from Hull KR, but the spell with Keighley was a season-long loan with no recall option – suggesting that he may have been surplus to requirements at The Shay.
He retires at just 29 years old, and as he is a student of Sports Science, he may have a good career to move on to after hanging up his boots.