Naomh Muire connection so important for Donegal minor captain Ferdia Doherty

There was no way that Donegal U-20 football captain Ferdia Doherty was not going to be a Gaelic footballer.  

The big Naomh Muire lad comes in a long line of north west Donegal men who have been rock-like custodians of the square. 

Ferdia’s father Charlie Doherty is still togging out for Naomh Muire Reserves at 53 and has been with the Donegal Masters team for several years and is the holder of an All-Ireland medal. 

“I was watching him as a young lad and the football was always in our family,” he said. 

“My mother Bríd Rodgers was our U-8 coach back in the day so the football is there from both sides”. 

But there is another family connection with Naomh Muire as Fedia’s grandfather Hughie Doherty and his grand uncle Tony Doherty were very instrumental in helping to set up the club around 40 years ago. 

“Yes, football has been a huge part of my life and it was all around me when I was growing up. I am proud of that connection”. 

Ferdia will be leading his troops out against Antrim in the Ulster U-20 championship but he did not play minor football for his county. 

However, he has really blossomed since going to ATU Donegal having featured in their Freshers and Sigerson teams. He is currently a second year student, studying Quantity Surveying in Letterkenny. 

“We won the All-Ireland Division 2 Freshers title under Luke Barrett, and it was a good standard of football, and I was glad to get playing Sigerson football as well”. 

Ferdia is one of a number of players who were on last year’s fine squad that just lost out narrowly to eventual All-Ireland champions Tyrone. 

“We have Luke McGlynn, David Boyle, Sean Doherty, Fionan Coyle and Oisin Crawford so that is a good nucleus of experience to have. That gives us a good basis”. 

Doherty is a full-back by trade but had been out through injury for the Leo Murphy Cup. But has fully recovered and is looking forward to the Antrim test in Ballybofey at the end of the month. 

“I’m looking forward to that game and have been all year. Our main goal is championship this year and we said that from the start.  We used a lot of different players in order to see what we have got, and we are hoping that this will bear fruit for us”. 

And he is well aware of Brian Gillespie the colourful teak tough Naomh Muire full back. 

“Brian is a great club-man and very colourful. When I was growing up, I used to look up to the likes of Owenie McGarvey who was a great player and is still a great club man and the three “Yank” Boyles, Hugh, Sean and Paul.  These are great days for his Naomh Muire club as well. 

“We are hosting the Donegal and the All-Ireland Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta Donegal and All-Ireland finals and we have a new stand as well for it. This is a huge thing for the club”. 

When it is suggested that Donegal could have got a much tougher test than Antrim, like his selector Eamon McGee, Ferdia is not convinced. 

“There are no easy matches in the Ulster Championship, and we certainly will not be taking Antrim for granted or looking past them. For now, our sole focus will be on Antrim on the 29th. 

When asked if his mum Bríd and father Charlie will be in Ballybofey on that date, he said: “I don’t know but you will probably hear them! I’m really looking forward to that day”.