Tom Norcott braced for battle for Derry's No.1 spot

​Brian Maher is back in contention to reclaim the position he's made his own for the past five years after recovering from an ankle injury.

And with the FAI Cup Final on the horizon, some jockeying for position is expected throughout the entire squad.

Norcott, who produced another fine performance in last Saturday's semi-final win over Galway United and a stunning save to deny Jimmy Keohane, knows he'll face fierce competition over the coming weeks.

A healthy rivalry is developing among Derry's goalkeeping fraternity under the watchful gaze of coach Anthony Fennelly as Norcott, Maher, former Portsmouth 'keeper Conal McDermott and of course Shea Callister - currently on loan at Crusaders - push each other daily in training.

That competition keeps Reading loanee Norcott on his toes and he's taking nothing for granted as he prepares for a cup final audition during the next four league matches.

"I had to be really patient at the start," said the 21 year-old who has made six appearances since joining in the summer. "I went maybe a couple of months without playing.

"Working with 'Fenners', he's kept me sharp and told me my chance would come. It did come and now I've got to fight even harder to keep my spot because Brian is a quality keeper and he's not just going to let me play if I'm not playing well.

"Goalkeeping is a bit of a weird position because we're a small group," he explained. "We get on really well but we're all fighting for the same spot. There's nothing nasty but we push each other every day and ultimately we all benefit because we all get better when we push each other."

He's hoping to retain his place in goals for Friday's trip to Sullivan and Lambe Park but with St Pat's visiting Foyleside next Monday, it could provide an opportunity for Mark Connolly to give Maher a timely audition. Regardless, Norcott knows everyone must perform to recent standards.

"We can't take our foot off the gas. Everyone is professional and we'll be trying to play to the highest level we can and hopefully earn a spot in that starting eleven."

Norcott made his debut in the 3-3 draw with Shamrock Rovers at Brandywell late August and made a stunning save to deny Will Fitzgerald towards the end of that thrilling match. He's kept three clean sheets in the last four matches and hopes to extend that run in Drogheda.

"I'm happy with the form I'm in. I'm playing with confidence and I think that comes with the run of games I've been given the opportunity to play. The lads in front of me make my job so much easier. I could have been much busier than I was on Saturday but the lads in front of me headed absolutely everything.

"That backline, we're learning about each other all the time. The last few games you could see by the results we're getting, we're building some nice chemistry between us."

Norcott got a taste of the passion shown by Derry fans after that big semi-final win in Galway and he loved every minute of it.

"There was a lot of talk about the game and it was a big fixture but once we stepped over that white line, all the lads were so focused. The celebrations afterwards, honestly, that's why we play football. Those celebrations were unbelievable, and I can't wait for the final..

"Obviously I haven't been here all season but from what I've heard it hasn't been the greatest of seasons but the fact we've now got the opportunity to finish on a massive high is a relief I guess for the fans." How does he stay focussed on league matters with that Aviva date looming large.

"I think we've just got to take one game at a time. As good as Saturday was, we've still got four league games left to finish in fourth place. In training today, all the lads were fully focussed on Drogheda."

In saying that, he's already making preparations for that big day out in Dublin.

I've told them all to book off work. I've told all my friends to come. It will be a really good day and I' really excited for it."