Brian Maher knows he is facing one of the toughest tasks in football when his time with the Under-21s comes to an end.
The Derry City goalkeeper had a taste of senior international football when he spent a day training with Stephen Kenny’s side last March - and he wants to experience that again.
But with Gavin Bazunu, Caoimhin Kelleher and Mark Travers already in the senior set-up and all three in their early-20s, making the step up won’t be easy.
However Maher has been first choice right through the underage ranks and he starred in Ireland’s run to the semi-finals of the 2019 European Championships.
So he won’t shy away from the challenge ahead.
“There are three really, really good goalkeepers and we’re blessed to have goalkeepers as good as that. Three good lads as well,” said the 21-year-old Dubliner.
“For me it’s just work as hard as you can and hope you get lucky, hope you get that chance. For now, it’s play as well as I can with the 21s and Derry.”
Maher enjoyed his time working under senior goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely in March.
“One of the keepers was sick and we were in the next day. It was a great experience, another step up and you see the levels and where you are at,” he said.
“Even for one day you learn a lot about yourself.
“He (Kiely) was brilliant with me. He said there was no need to change anything about myself.”
He added: “Right now I’m staying in Ireland and playing for the 21s. I’m hoping that if I show on this level that I’m capable that chance will come.
“The experience of being in [with the seniors] for the day training, you want more days like that.”
Maher’s focus right now is on Ireland’s bid to make a debut appearance at the European Under-21 finals.
Wins at home against Bosnia & Herzegovina (Friday, Tallaght Stadium 7.30pm) and Montenegro (next Monday, 5pm) should be enough to secure a play-off place.
Six points from those two games could even tee up a final day battle for first place and automatic promotion away to Italy on June 14.
“My aim is to keep clean sheets,” said Maher. “Not just mine, it starts from the top of the pitch.
“One of the aims is to keep a clean sheet because that gives you a chance of winning the games.”
Maher is coming into this month’s qualifiers in fine personal form, having made the move last winter from Bray Wanderers to Premier Division side Derry City.
The Candystripes have hit a slump in form in recent weeks, but the young goalkeeper expects them to bounce back.
“Maybe the break has come at a good time and we can go again,” he said.
“We knew that we would have a sticky patch and this is it. We’ll stick together as a group and there’s good senior players there.
“We knew ourselves that when we had a good start, it was only a start.
“Some of the other squads have bigger squads that are able to deal with injuries better.
“It’s a difficult patch for us, but maybe the break has come at a good time where we can get the bodies back and recharged.”
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