Derry City's Ben Doherty holding nothing back

After having a disappointing injury hit end to the 2024 season, Ben Doherty's frustration was summed up with virtually his first tackle against Bohemians, on Friday night.

The talented left-back replaced Shane Ferguson on the hour mark and he put in a crunching challenge on Bohs right-winger Dayle Rooney and Doherty admitted the tackle gave him confidence.

The ex-Larne man pulled his hamstring against the Gypsies at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in October and ended his season, so being able to return against the same opponents and putting a heavy challenge around the same area where he suffered last year’s injury, was big for him.

“It’s mad how it all works, as it was a full circle moment for me,” he insisted.

“It was probably the same sort of sprint, against the same sort of opposition that caused the injury last year, so it was one of those ones that the tackle did more for me psychologically instead of physically.

“I think I just trusted myself with that tackle and I got myself straight into the game, instead of being maybe edgy for the first few minutes.

“It has been a tough road for me, a lot of lonely mornings and evenings, time away from the kids, my partner and time away from home, but it has been all worth it whenever you come on, get into the game and get the three points.

“The gaffer has trusted me to come on for the last 30 odd minutes and I’m glad to have got the minutes under my belt and now I’ll be pushing onto this week’s game against Waterford.”

The 27-year-old now hopes City can build on their first win of the season when they entertain Keith Long’s men this Friday. With victories come a bit of momentum and a bit of confidence,” he added.

“Look, we’re a new group, we went to Shelbourne and we probably didn’t show up, but they are a team that’s four years in the making, we’re six or seven weeks into the making, so look, I think we have to be given that chance to go and express ourselves.

“We’re going to come good, but it’s about taking one game at a time, but with those one games we need to see what we can build on and try to get better each week.

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“For me personally I’m eager to get into the side. I’ve trained with the squad over the last two weeks, maybe the first week I was a bit in and out, but last week I trained fully with the squad.

“I knew I was going to come to the Brandywell for the Bohs game and just come straight into the team. The management team has been good with me, they’ve worked with me and they’ve built me up to this place now.”

Doherty admitted that the majority of the Brandywell knew once Michael Duffy stepped up to take the free-kick that Bohs goalkeeper James Talbot was in bother.

“Mickey has that in his locker and I think everyone knows that,” he beamed. “Once we got the free-kick in that area we knew Mickey was going to have a go and thankfully it went in.

“I think we were on top early doors and once the chance came 90% of the people in the stadium thought it was in before it was even hit. I feel if we can start games like that then we can give ourselves a good platform to go, especially here at home, it’s massive.

Ben Doherty of Derry City after picking up an injury during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Derry City and Bohemians. (Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile)

“I don’t think we did ourselves justice at Shels and that was the message all week in training and it was drilled into us we have to start games like the way we did against Bohs, to give ourselves the best chance going forward.”

The former Coleraine man also remarked on the great atmosphere and praised the supporters for their backing.

“The fans will always come out and back you until you aren’t performing or not showing that drive or hunger to win games, but look that’s now imperative to keep that going,” he confirmed.

“We started quick and that was the message all week, we just need to come out of the traps. It’s been a breath of fresh air with the new manager coming in, a few new players coming in and it was our first competitive game at the Brandywell.

“The first game at home was in everyone’s calendar, so it was good to come away with the three points.”