Brian Maher 'privileged' as he approaches 100 games with Derry City

Derry City vs. Shelbourne

Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Monday, 7:45pm

Brian Maher insists he has never taken his number one spot for granted as he prepares to celebrate his 100th appearance for Derry City in tomorrow night’s game against Shelbourne.

The 23-year-old has undoubtedly been one of Ruaidhri Higgins best signings at the club, arriving from Bray Wanderers at the end of the 2021 season before quickly making the number one jersey his own.

Maher has missed just three of 102 games played since his arrival at the club and has kept 41 clean sheets in the process, his reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in Ireland growing with each passing season.

Just a few weeks after Will Patching hit a century with the club, Maher now joins the 100 club when he plays against Shelbourne.

“It has flown in,” he said. “Playing 100 games is obviously a great honour and a privilege. I've not taken one of those games for granted. For it to be 100 now is nice. I'm sure there'll be plenty more this year to come. Hopefully, we'll keep putting a run of games together and see where we can go.”

Maher’s ambition has never been in doubt since coming to the club, when he displaced Nathan Gartside as Ruaidhri Higgins’ number one.

 “From the minute I spoke to the manager in 2021, what we spoke about was coming in and playing and nailing myself down as the number one at the football club. Thankfully, I was able to do that,” he continued. “Now, we're talking 100 games later. It's all flown by, but it's something I've really enjoyed.”

“It's hard to even look back on it, to be honest. You look at the European runs and the FA Cup win are two highlights. I just feel like I'm maturing all the time. Playing matches is the way to do that. Long may it continue. I'll just keep playing and keep trying to put wins together and see where it takes us towards the end of the year.”

A Derry City victory could see them go top of the Premier Division, and Maher has certainly has a great record against Damien Duff’s team, having never lost against the Dubliners, conceding just two goals in nine games against them.

 “That's not a bad stat. Hopefully, it's 8 out of 10 on Monday,” he laughed. “We know how good they are and how well set up they are. They'll be coming looking to win.”