Gerard Doherty

Club career

Born in Derry, Doherty began his career with his hometown club, Derry City, making his debut as a 16-year-old in a league cup win against Sligo Rovers. His potential alerted English outfit Derby County and they signed him in February 1999 for a fee of £30,000. After failing to break into the Derby first-team and falling out with goalkeeping coach Eric Steele, Doherty left the club in the summer of 2001 and was offered a trial with La Liga side Valencia. The trial was ultimately unsuccessful, and Doherty returned to the UK in November 2001 when he was signed by the Welsh Premier League team, The New Saints.

In six largely successful seasons at The Saints, Gerard won three league titles, one Welsh Cup, one League Cup, and one FAW Premier Cup, and played in six European ties, most notably against English sides Manchester City and Liverpool. Doherty performed particularly well in the two matches against Liverpool, winning plaudits from manager Rafael Benítez.

Doherty re-signed for Derry City in January 2008. In his second spell at the club, Doherty has won the League of Ireland Cup twice, in 2008 and 2011, and also the League of Ireland First Division in 2010. His great form in 2011 was rewarded when he was named Airtricity/Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Goalkeeper of the Year.

International career

Doherty represented the Republic of Ireland once at under-18 level in September 1999, playing against Germany in a 0–0 friendly draw at Richmond Park. However, his form for Derry City in the 2011 season prompted calls from his manager, Declan Devine, for Doherty to be called into the Northern Ireland squad. Doherty received his first call-up for Northern Ireland prior to their friendly against Malta in February 2013, becoming the first Derry player to be included in a national squad since Niall McGinn against Hungary in 2008.

Club

Derry City

Individual