DERRY City’s Brian Maher admitted his performance against Dundalk was up there with his very best between the sticks.
The 22-year-old produced a host of top drawer saves to ensure the Candy Stripes secured a 3-1 victory at Oriel Park on Friday night, but the modest net-minder, while conceding his display was good, he also praised defenders Shane McEleney, Ciaran Coll and debutant Sam Todd.
“I think it’s up there. Especially since I’ve come to the club, it’s definitely up there,” he stated.
“I think the manager said it probably won’t be spoken about as much when you see it was 3-1 because people will probably think that Derry were comfortable but, no, look it’s not just me.
“There have been blocks and headers from Shane (McEleney), off the line from Ciaran Coll. I think Sam Todd was brilliant on his debut. He looked like he had been here all year so it’s been a really positive night for us because we were missing a lot of big players again and people are still stepping up.”
While Pat Hoban netted a stoppage time penalty to deny Maher a clean-sheet, he didn’t actually mind, as the three points was the only thing that mattered on Friday evening.
“To be honest, I actually don’t care that we conceded,” he explained. “I probably should give you the normal answer that I do care but I think the performance and how important it was winning here, it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.
“I think the boys put in an unbelievable shift and it’s not just me that could be disappointed, it’s everyone in front of me. Look, we’re disappointed to concede at least it was when it was 3-1 to us.”
The victory combined with St Patrick’s Athletic late loss at Shelbourne, means City moved into second place behind champions Shamrock Rovers, currently sitting seven points behind the Hoops, but that lead can be cut to four as Derry travel to bottom side UCD on Wednesday to play their game in hand.
The Dubliner admitted their victory over Stephen O’Donnell’s side was big, especially in what was a massive night for the top six sides.
“Yeah, it’s a big night for us but it’s only worth anything if we go and win on Wednesday because it’s worth the same points for us,” he said.
“We need to be ready and go and win on Wednesday at UCD, they have caused problems for a few teams in recent weeks, in fact they were unlucky against St Pat’s a couple weeks ago, so we need to be at it and ready to go from the off on Wednesday.”
