Brian Maher

Brian Philip Maher (born 1 November 2000) is an Irish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City. He previously played for St Patrick's Athletic and Bray Wanderers.

Early life Maher was born in Dublin in 2000 and played for local clubs Raheny United and St Kevin's Boys in Dublin at underage level before signing for St Patrick's Athletic in 2016.

Club career Maher joined St Patrick's Athletic's under-17 side in 2016 and signed his first contract for the club in 2018, although never made a senior league appearance for the club and left to join Bray Wanderers in 2020, initially as a loan move, but then made permanent later that year. Maher made his debut for Bray in a 4–2 loss to Cabinteely. Maher went on to make 19 total appearances for Bray that season, helping them to a second-place finish. The next season Maher would become a regular for Bray and he would make 29 appearances in the 2021 First Division season.

In 2022 Maher signed for League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City. It would go on to be a very successful season for Derry and Maher as they would finish second in the table and win the FAI Cup for the first time in 10 years. Maher was shortlisted for 2022 Soccer Writers Ireland Goalkeeper of the Year award. On 5 May 2025 Maher made his 111th consecutive league appearance for Derry City, breaking the record previously set by former goalkeeper Dermot O'Neill. In February 2026 he suffered a broken bone in his wrist that would require surgery and keep him out of action for several months. On 28 June 2026, Maher signed a new with the club until the end of the 2028 season.

International career Maher has been a regular for the Republic of Ireland at underage level since he first played for the U17, and has since went on to play for the country at U19 and U21 level.

Career statistics

Honours Club St Patrick's Athletic Leinster Senior Cup: 2018–19

Derry City FAI Cup: 2022 President of Ireland's Cup: 2023, 2026

Individual League of Ireland Premier Division Most cleansheets: 2022, 2023 PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year: 2022 PFAI First Division Team of the Year: 2020