A clean sheet for Derry City in Sunday's FAI Cup final would see the Candystripes join a select list of clubs who have won the competition without conceding a goal.
Only Athlone Town in 1924, Dundalk in 1958 and Sligo Rovers in 2010 have achieved this feat previously, and if Derry are to match them by shutting out Drogheda United at the Aviva Stadium, much of the credit will go to goalkeeper Brian Maher.
The former Republic of Ireland under-21 stopper has played every minute of a tough cup run so far, as Derry have shut out 2023 winners St Patrick's Athletic and recently-crowned league champions Shelbourne at home, as well as negotiating tricky trips to Cork City and Bohemians with clean sheets intact.
"It's something we take great pride in but at the same time it won’t matter unless we do our business on Sunday."
A win over Drogheda would see Derry lift the FAI Cup for the second time in three years, after they eased to a 4-0 win over Shelbourne back in 2022.
Maher doesn't see a repeat of that routine victory, even if Derry will be much-fancied against a Drogheda side who also have a promotion/relegation play-off with Bray Wanderers circled in their calendars for 16 November.
"You don't expect to enjoy the actual game, you’re hoping to enjoy after it," recalled Maher, who turned 24 at the beginning of this month.
"That day just went for us and we really enjoyed it. I don’t think anyone is expecting that again this year. We just need to make sure that we’re ready again and we do our work properly in the week because Drogheda have been really good, especially since the summer. They beat us in the last game so they’ll be coming in with a little bit of confidence too."
A fifth successive cup clean sheet won't come easy against Kevin Doherty's side, who scored a goal more than champions Shelbourne in the league, thanks largely to their potent strike partnership of Douglas James-Taylor and Frantz Pierrot.
It would be a nice achievement but what really matters for Maher is that Derry get their hands on the trophy, and recreate the joyous scenes of two years ago.
"We have a chance to win two in three years," he said. "It's a huge thing for the group and it’s not just a second-fiddle to a league. It’s a massive day for us and we want to win.
"You don't understand how much it means until you’re in the school or you’re walking around town and people are stopping you left, right and centre. People were stopping my family at the weekend saying how much it means.
"The celebrations back here after 2022 was what hit us the most, thousands of fans lining the streets. It means so much to this club and city. I don’t think any players should take that lightly. It’s a massive day for us but at the same time, it’s a brilliant day for all of them."
