Celtic's Hugh 'Dick' Doherty to be perpetually remembered in his native Buncrana

A commemorative plaque of Hugh 'Dick' Doherty  - the only Inishowen man to play for Celtic FC - is to be installed in his native Buncrana.

An 18-year-old Doherty was spotted by Celtic while playing in a pre-season match in Coleraine, in August 1939 and immediately the teenage winger was invited to Celtic Park for a trial. However, having arrived in Glasgow with his father on September 1 of that year, only for Great Britain to declare war on Germany, following its invasion of Poland.

Doherty went home and played for Derry City and Dundalk, whilst working in the family business -  a farm and a butcher's shop - as well as in his uncle's pub in Derry. He would eventually make his Celtic debut aged 25, in 1947.

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“Delighted that the Inishowen Municipal District has today agreed that a commemorative plaque will be installed at the former home of Hugh 'Dick' Doherty,” Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen MD Jack Murray posted. At the age of 93, Doherty was still active as assistant treasurer of the Inishowen Football League, before passing away in September 2014.

“I was approached by a few local footballing people in recent times and asked to put it forward and, given the man's status as a local sporting legend, it was a no brainer, and well overdue,” Cllr Murray added.

“Hugh played for Celtic in the 1946-47 season before going on to play for Blackpool FC, at a time when they were one of the top clubs in English football. Indeed, the standard at which he played is evident when you consider that he was interchangeable at the club with Stanley Matthews on the outside right, shortly before Matthews would be recognised as the best player in the world as the inaugural winner of the European Footballer of the Year, the Ballon d'Or in 1956.

“Hugh would also play for Raith Rovers FC, Dundalk FC and Derry City Football Club. He left a lasting legacy in his community as a founding member of Buncrana Hearts.

“He was also involved in the Ulster Senior League and was an elected member of Buncrana Urban Council, as a member of Fine Gael - something which might seem ironic as today's proposal was moved by myself as a Sinn Féin representative, and seconded by Fionán Bradley, a member of Fianna Fail. Political differences were no issue though, of course, as there was unanimous cross-party support for the idea and words of endorsement from reps from all parts of Inishowen.

“A word of thanks also to Jennifer Porter who now owns Hugh's former home for agreeing that the plaque be installed there. Hopefully, it'll be a talking point for sporting people who visit Buncrana for generations to come and a lasting tribute to one of Inishowen's most accomplished sportspeople.

“Thanks too to Gary McPeake and Jonathan Adair for rightly bringing this idea to my attention. Plans will now be put in place and a date for the unveiling announced soon.”