logo
Former All-Ireland captain Seán Doherty has died

Former All-Ireland captain Seán Doherty has died

Irish Post09-07-2025
FORMER captain Seán Doherty, who famously led Dublin to a breakthrough All-Ireland Senior Football Championship win in 1974, has died at the age of 78.
Born in Wicklow in 1946, Doherty moved to south Dublin as a child, where he built his club career with Ballyboden Wanderers, later joining Ballyboden St. Enda's and also playing a player-manager role with St. Anne's.
He helped the Wanderers secure a Dublin Junior Football Championship title in 1968, but his biggest impact came in the blue of Dublin.
Doherty rose to national prominence as captain of the Dublin team that ended an 11-year wait for Sam Maguire in 1974.
That year's All-Ireland final saw Dublin overcome Galway with a commanding 0-14 to 1-06 win at Croke Park.
His leadership and consistently strong defence earned him an All-Star award that season.
Known as 'The Doc,' Doherty was a traditional, no-nonsense fullback—strong in the air and tough in the tackle.
He played in five consecutive All-Ireland finals from 1974 to 1978 and collected three All-Ireland medals (1974, 1976, 1977) and six Leinster titles over the course of his inter-county career.
He was also part of the panel for a sixth final in 1979 before retiring from championship football.
One of his most defining moments came in the dramatic 1977 semi-final against Kerry, when his high fielding from a long free helped initiate the decisive move that led to Bernard Brogan's famous late goal.
Doherty's career experienced both highs and lows.
In the 1975 final, a heavy challenge on Kerry's Mickey Ned O'Sullivan resulted in the opposing captain being taken off injured.
The two later reconciled and chose not to dwell on the incident, instead celebrating their shared history during later reunions.
After his playing days, Doherty stayed closely tied to Dublin football.
In 1985, he joined former teammates Brian Mullins and Robbie Kelleher as part of a three-man managerial team following Kevin Heffernan's departure.
Though that stint was short-lived, he continued as a selector under manager Gerry McCaul, playing a role in Dublin's 1987 National League triumph and their 1989 Leinster championship win.
Outside of sport, Doherty initially worked as a plumber before becoming a publican in Rathfarnham.
In retirement, he returned to his native Glenealy in County Wicklow.
Doherty is the fourth member of Dublin's iconic 1974 team to pass away, following Anton O'Toole, Brian Mullins, and, more recently, Paddy Cullen.
Dublin County Board Chairman Ken O'Sullivan said in a public statement:
'Séan Doherty was a classy fullback and a giant of a man at the heart of the Dublin's full back line in the late 60s and the 1970s.
'An absolute gentleman. May he rest in peace.'
See More: All Ireland Club, Dublin GAA, GAA, Ken O'Sullivan, Sean Doherty
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kerry vs Donegal: Start time, FREE live stream, TV channel for huge GAA All-Ireland football final
Kerry vs Donegal: Start time, FREE live stream, TV channel for huge GAA All-Ireland football final

The Irish Sun

time28 minutes ago

  • The Irish Sun

Kerry vs Donegal: Start time, FREE live stream, TV channel for huge GAA All-Ireland football final

ALL eyes will be on Croke Park once again THIS SUNDAY as Kerry face Donegal in a mouthwatering GAA All-Ireland football final! Kerry are the most successful Gaelic football team in the 2 Kerry are hoping to secure a mammoth 39th title Credit: Sportsfile 2 While Donegal look to clinch their first football triumph since 2012 Credit: Sportsfile And the Irish giants are appearing in their third final in four years after beating Tyrone 1-20 to 0-17 in a thrilling semi-final clash. But you could argue that opponents Donegal will be hungrier to win the championship, as their only two title wins were way back in 1992 and 2012. Furthermore, Jim McGuinness' side should have the wind in their sails following a stunning 3-26 to 0-15 semis triumph over Meath. However, Joe Brolly believes Donegal Read more on GAA football When is the GAA All-Ireland football final? The GAA All-Ireland football final between Kerry and Donegal will take place on Saturday, July 27. It is scheduled to get underway at 3.30pm BST / 10.30am ET. Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland is the chosen venue for this iconic match and it can host a whopping 82,300 fans. Armagh won their second title, with a 1–11 to 0–13 win against Galway in the 2024 final. How to watch the GAA All-Ireland football final for FREE The GAA All-Ireland football final will be broadcast LIVE on BBC Two Northern Ireland. Fans can stream the entire action for FREE on BBC iPlayer. It will also be shown on RTE One - instead of the usual RTE Two - in Ireland because of the Women's Euro 2025 final between England and Spain. Coverage is expected to get underway from 2:15pm BST - one hour and 15 minutes before the throw-in. Fans in the US can watch the match through the GAA+ stream or website. Alternatively, SunSport will have coverage of the entire action through our live blog. Who will be the referee? The GAA has announced that Brendan Cawley will officiate this year's All-Ireland football final between Kerry and Donegal. It'll be the Kildare native's first time refereeing Gaelic football's showpiece occasion. Most read in GAA Football The Sarsfields clubman has been on the inter-county officiating circuit since 2019 and is a widely respected figure across the game. His line umpires on the day will be Monaghan's Martin McNally and David Coldrick of Meath, with McNally also set to serve as the standby referee. What kits will be worn? Kerry are set to wear their alternative blue kit in order to avoid a colour clash in this year's All-Ireland football final. Common sense seemed to be ignored for Donegal's semi-final triumph over Meath when both teams lined out in their traditional green and yellow colours. It is the referee's call whether a colour clash is significant enough that one or both of the teams is compelled to wear one of their alternative strips. Ultimately, Paul Faloon did not deem that a necessary step to take. And in fairness many viewers expressed that they had little to no issue distinguishing Donegal players from Kerry counterparts. But it was a problem for some portions of the TV as well as Croke Park audience.

Tipp star had same bizarre preparation for All-Ireland final as World Cup winner
Tipp star had same bizarre preparation for All-Ireland final as World Cup winner

Irish Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Tipp star had same bizarre preparation for All-Ireland final as World Cup winner

Tipperary goalkeeper Rhys Shelly has revealed the unique preparation he had for the All-Ireland final. Shelly, 24, was an integral part of a Tipp team that defied expectations to go all the way to the final this year and beat hot favourites Cork to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup. The Moycarkey–Borris clubman is still on cloud nine and doesn't intend on coming down anytime soon. He told Tipp FM: "It's still hard to believe that we do have it [Liam MacCarthy], to be honest. "Talking over there, I said the homecoming will help it settle in. It means everything. "Someone said it to me, doing all the walks beforehand and time it cut to me, I was just smiling. "Just enjoy no point getting too bogged down in things - it's hurling. We're amateurs at the end of the day. If you don't enjoy it, there's no point playing it. "Just enjoying every minute of it." Shelly was understandably nervous ahead of the biggest match of his career last weekend. But the goalkeeper seemingly took inspiration from Italian football great Andrea Pirlo. "The day before is probably the worst for me, the waiting around," Shelly said. "I was playing Ultimate Team on FIFA, the head was kind of gone! I don't know if it was good prep..." Midfield maestro Pirlo revealed in his autobiography that he spent the afternoon playing video games before playing the 2006 World Cup final. Pirlo said: "I spent the afternoon of Sunday, 9 July 2006 in Berlin sleeping and playing the PlayStation. In the evening, I went out and won the World Cup."

Darragh Ó Sé on the Kerry team: Profiling the 15 men bidding to win the Kingdom's 39th Sam Maguire
Darragh Ó Sé on the Kerry team: Profiling the 15 men bidding to win the Kingdom's 39th Sam Maguire

Irish Times

timean hour ago

  • Irish Times

Darragh Ó Sé on the Kerry team: Profiling the 15 men bidding to win the Kingdom's 39th Sam Maguire

1. Shane Ryan Age : 29 Club : Rathmore Debut : 2019 v Cork Struggled in the early part of the season with the new rules, especially around the kickout. But he has been transformed as the championship heated up. Brilliant against Armagh , very good against Tyrone . Revelling in the new rules now. READ MORE 2. Paul Murphy Age : 33 Club : Rathmore Debut : 2014 v Clare Kerry's Mr Dependable. Found the going a little tough early on against Tyrone but grew into the game. Won't be frightened of a final as he was man of the match against Donegal in 2014. 3. Jason Foley Kerry's Jason Foley blocks down a shot from Eoin McElholm of Tyrone during the All-Ireland SFC semi-final. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Age : 29 Club : Ballydonoghue Debut : 2018 v Clare Probably Kerry's most under-rated defender. Gets all the tougher jobs because he's fast enough to stay with any forward. The last couple of games against Tyrone and Armagh have been among his best in a Kerry jersey. 4. Dylan Casey Age: 24 Club: Austin Stacks Debut: 2022 v Limerick One of the newer players and still has to convince everyone he's up to it. There's a sense of people waiting for him to be caught out but he hasn't been yet. That ability to prove people wrong is very admirable in my estimation. 5. Brian Ó Beaglaoich Age: 29 Club: An Ghaeltacht Debut: 2016 v Clare Last year was his best in a Kerry jersey and he's raised it even further this year. Brings a raw aggression and puts opposition teams on the back foot. Attacks with purpose from wing back and well able to pop a point. 6. Mike Breen Age: 27 Club: Beaufort Debut: 2021 v Clare Another guy who might feel like he is on probation with some of the supporters. Solid on the ball, rarely makes a mistake but probably still not fully proven. Excellent against Tyrone and a very smart footballer. 7. Gavin White Gavin White's performances have been consistently high-calibre. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Age: 28 Club: Dr Crokes Debut: 2018 v Clare Playing a captain's role. Has been one of Kerry's best players in Croke Park this year, capping off a brilliant season. Even when Kerry haven't played well this year, he has hardly made a mistake. 8. Seán O'Brien Age: 23 Club: Beaufort Debut: 2024 v Cork Dropped in at the deep end out of necessity because of Kerry's injuries but found his feet and hasn't looked out of place. Similar to Mark O'Shea, he fills in around the middle, fights for kickouts and doesn't try to do too much. 9. Mark O'Shea Age: 27 Club: Dr Crokes Debut: 2025 v Clare Does his job with no fuss and no extravagance. Came in against Cork and settled things down. Has taken his chance with Diarmuid O'Connor out. Brave, tough, knows his limitations. A great team player. 10. Joe O'Connor Age: 25 Club: Austin Stacks Debut: 2022 v Cork Outstanding for Kerry all year, even back as far as the league. Really stood up against Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh but reached new heights against Armagh and Tyrone too. O'Connor has caught fire this season and is one of the main inspirations behind Kerry's resurgence. 11. Seán O'Shea Kerry's Seán O'Shea is capable of reeling off several scores if Donegal fail to deal with him. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho Age: 27 Club: Kenmare Shamrocks Debut: 2018 v Clare Has had a super year. The highlight was the game against Armagh, where he shot the lights out and showed how dangerous he is if you back off him. Kicks left and right, hardly ever misses a free. Someone Donegal need more than one marker for. 12. Graham O'Sullivan Age: 27 Club: Dromid Pearses Debut: 2019 v Mayo Has spent the year being a bit of a square peg in a round hole at wing forward but you can see him growing into the role. Has an excellent attitude, gets in and wins breaks and forages for the ball in that middle third. Could probably back himself a bit more in front of the posts. 13. David Clifford Age: 26 Club: Fossa Debut: 2018 v Clare What can you say? He's judged on standards way above everybody else. Everyone can see his skill and talent but his attitude is superb as well. You can see he has taken to the new rules and is enjoying everybody knowing how dangerous he is. A player for the ages. 14. Paudie Clifford Paudie Clifford celebrates scoring a point against Tyrone in the All-Irleand semi-final. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Age: 27 Club: Fossa Debut: 2020 v Cork His injury came at a bad time and it was no coincidence that Kerry's form dipped so badly when he was away. If his brother is Kerry's most important player, he's a close enough second. So clever on the ball. 15. Dylan Geaney Age: 24 Club: Dingle Debut: 2024 v Meath Very smart player, very streetwise. Can be lethal in front of goal and would have been cross with himself for his miss against Tyrone. Has been around for a few years but settled into the team now. Substitutes Potentially, there's a lot of firepower on the Kerry bench. If Paul Geaney and Tom O'Sullivan are fit for the last 20 minutes, they're great additions. Killian Spillane and Tony Brosnan can be a bit hit-and-miss. Evan Looney has been very good in his first year. Management Jack O'Connor, Aodán Mac Gearailt, James Costello, Cian O'Neill. This is Jack's eighth final so there's going to be nothing that surprises him. He knows more than anybody that these chances are so rare and so valuable. By his own admission, this year has been tougher emotionally and mentally than any before. Needs to win this one.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store