Reading FC's Tom Norcott lifts FAI Cup with Derry City

Derry City secured a 1-0 win over Waterford in the final at Aviva Stadium in front of more than 36,000 spectators - marking their seventh cup title.

Though Norcott did not play in the final the on loan keeper has been instrumental to Derry City in their bid to secure a passage to securing the trophy.

The 21-year-old shot stopper started for Derry in the Quarter-finals against Dundalk, where the Candystripes won 4-2 and Norcott made three saves to keep their trophy hopes alive. A month later he was picked to start again in the Semi-finals against Galway United. This time around Norcott kept a clean sheet and made another three saves to help secure a 2-0 win and a place in the finals.

Since joining Derry City on loan over the summer Norcott has made nine appearances, seven (starting six) which have come in the league. He filled in for the Candystripes as they faced a dilemma of having a lack of experienced goalkeepers with their main man Brian Maher facing a recovery from injury.

In the league Norcott kept three cleansheets, averaged two saves per game and only conceded seven goals.

In the 21-year-old's fifth league start for Derry in a 2-0 loss against Drogheda United he let Brandon Kavanagh’s opener go straight in from a corner, but interim boss Mark Connolly have some reassuring word and backed the 'outstanding' Reading FC loanee.

“Tom will potentially be disappointed with Drogheda’s first goal, but he has been incredible for us,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.

“You can’t just look at one thing, he’s been outstanding and obviously Brian [Maher] is back now, so it’s going to be one where we see what happens, but Tom has been brilliant.

“He has been doing really good things and pulled off an unbelievable save to potentially get us into the FAI Cup Final, so no, Tom has been brilliant and we’ll just see what happens.”

By winning the FAI Cup Derry City have secured their place in the UEFA Europa League Qualifiers.