Doherty relieved to hear the final blow of the whistle in Celtic Park

Aaron Doherty was a relieved man when Brendan Cawley blew the whistle for the last time in Celtic Park in Sunday afternoon’s Ulster Senior Championship semi-final. 

When the Kildare official decided to finally call time on an intriguing encounter Donegal emerged two point winners, 0-18 to 0-16 after the best part of 100 minutes of heart in mouth football. 

Donegal came from behind with the last three scores of the game in injury time to snatch a dramatic win. 

The winners also had to come from behind in normal time to force the game into extra-time. Full-back Brendan McCole, in a crowded goalmouth, kicked the equaliser in time added on. 

Relieved to get over the line was the abiding emotion of Naomh Columba man Doherty speaking to Donegal Live after the game. 

“It was not looking good when we were a couple of points down near the end of normal  time.” 

But Doherty, who started last week against Derry in attack, was replaced by fit again Patrick McBrearty this week. 

“I had an idea I would not be starting once Paddy (McBrearty) was  fit to play.

“He is the captain of the team and he has a big presence when he plays. I was happy to come into the game in the second half and do a job for the team. Empty the legs and do the best I can. 

“We knew we had the character and the team to come back and we never threw in the towel 

“We did and we came out on top at the end of extra-time and we are delighted to be in an Ulster final.”

Doherty replaced the captain at half-time and he was back on the bench for the start of the extra-time, replaced by McBrearty. 

But he was back in the thick of the action again for the second half of extra-time when he replaced Oisin Gallen. 

“I’m happy to play whatever role Jim (McGuinness) asks me  to play. I’m just  happy to be playing for Donegal and doing my best for the county.”  

Doherty was involved in the play which led to McCole’s equalising point as he had an effort for a goal saved with the rebound going to McCole. He also had an opportunity to put the game to bed in the closing minutes of extra-time when he found himself inside the Tyrone defence with nobody home.

All of Tyrone were pushing up chasing a winning score; they were turned over and Ryan McHugh sent a long delivery in Doherty’s direction.

But just as the Naomh Columba man was about to grab possession, Padraig Hampsey, the Tyrone full-back, came from nowhere to grab the ball.  And the free shot on an empty Tyrone net was gone. 

“Just as I went to catch the ball it slipped from my hand and Hampsey nipped in and grabbed the ball.

“It was a great chance and thankfully we did not need it,” said Doherty.