'A guiding light for generations' - Foyle Harps Chairman Gerry ‘Doc’ Doherty remembered

A round of applause broke out for Foyle Harps Chairman Gerry ‘Doc’ Doherty at his funeral mass yesterday, as friends, family and those whose lives he touched over a lifetime in football remembered a true giant of the game.

Father Sean O’Donnell addressed a packed Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Steelstown to pay tribute to and share memories of a man who influenced, shaped, inspired and encouraged generations of young people from his home town to chase their dreams on and off the foot all pitch.

Father O'Donnell’s words were met with an ovation from the congregation on an emotional day for the Doherty family and Foyle Harps YFC.

“We gather this afternoon with both sorrow and gratitude in our hearts. Sorry, because we have lost someone dear to us in Gerry Doc. In his life, a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, neighbour and friend, coach and mentor. But also in gratitude, because we give thanks for his life and the gifts that we have before us today in his family from he and Bernie’s life together, and his extended family in Foyle Harps. And also for that commitment that he gave his community through his service to Foyle Harps especially,

“A legend” is really an understatement when we think of what was given by Gerry Doc to generations of young lads who came through this club. As the cartoon I saw online put it – ‘I have two daughters and a thousand sons’, and this is really a true statement.

“The Foyle Harps Committee have asked me to share a few words on their behalf and recount some of the moments that Doc was involved in, or enjoyed remembering himself over the years.

“Everyone at the club is devastated at the passing of our Chairman Gerry ‘Doc’ Doherty. Gerry has been the heartbeat of our club for decades and we are simply heartbroken. We ask you all to pray for Gerry and his family at this time.”

“In 1982 he went to the World Cup in Spain with good friends Jobby Crossan, Gerry Taggart and Frank McClintock. After those two weeks in Spain Gerry returned fluent in Spanish and we all heard it in training for the next two weeks. The only word we ever heard was ‘manana’.

IN PICTURES: Funeral held for Foyle Harps and local football legend Gerry 'Doc' Doherty

“He went through more hats and linesmen’s flags as they were found more often on the ground than Harry McCourt was caught offside. Back in the day, injuries were plentiful, with Gerry more than often diagnosing ‘fetlock injury’ to ma a player.

“In 1980, he took great delight when the young Harps team went to Leeds and he recounted the budding starlet Harry McCourt overheard ringing home to his mammy, asking “It’s 8 0’clock here mammy, what time is it in Derry?”

“In 2016, Gerry had the vision to get the club’s first minibus. Other members were sceptical of it, but once again, Gerry was proved right, one of the best things the club has ever done.

“Gerry could look at your tracksuit jacket pocket, full of coins, and tell you exactly how much you had in it. He could be heard shouting “Give me that £48.40 you have there, McCourt.”

“But one of his absolutes was, when it came to paying for training, no kid was ever turned away. “You can pay me next week sure,” and that was Gerry Doc, making sure that every lad got his chance to shine.”

“As we hear those recollections from the club, there are so many of us with our own memories of Gerry for which we give thanks for.

“Things have come a long way since Gerry had an old minibus across the pond, and when it broke down in Larne on the way home back in the day, Charlie Harkin landed with a milk float to bring Gerry and the boys home, even getting stopped by the army on the way over Glenshane.

“Gerry was born in Southend Park on July 3, 1942 to Bella and Johnny, with his older sister Kathleen. He went to the Christian brothers and first was a busman before joining the postman, from which he retired in 1990. Gerry met Bernie in Borderland and he would have walked from the Brandywell to Sandbank to meet up. They were married in Pennyburn in August 1967, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, renewing their vows in the side chapel here in this church in August, 2017, before Bernie passed away that November.

“He followed Foyle Harps all his life and got involved in the early eighties in forming the youth part of the club, where his commitment was total. A familiar sight would have been the rigs on the washing line outside the house, and he gave all his energy and vision to bettering the club for the youth that would come up through it.

“He was a family man first. He adored his family, particularly his grandchildren and his great children, and they adored them too. Gerry was very proud of his own family, and what they have and are becoming. Family holidays were spent in Bundoran and he would have taken all of Buncrana if he could, back to that saying ‘two daughters and one thousand sons.’ He really did have that big a family, and that big a heart as well.

“Gerry was always a take-the-hand; we’ve all been victim of that at some point, but at the same time a very serious man. He was focused and had a clear vision from a beautiful heart that was full of the deep desire to serve and help others achieve. This was totally centred in his faith, his prayer and going to daily mass was a central part of his life everything else was influenced by that.”

“There were many things that were celebrated for the 100th anniversary of the club in 2016, but for Gery, his pride and joy was getting the papal blessing, which was brought up here today. He had asked Fr. McDevitt here to get it and he tried twice, but having no joy, Gerry went to the top, to Archbishop Eamon, and yes, Gerry got what he was looking for. It’s not what you know, but who you know, as you might say. It was a really beautiful thing realised by the determination of Gerry to get it. There’s a depth to that, and that’s the faith and trust that he had in God and his desire to have that blessing imparted on the club he loved so much.

“In the darker days of our recent past, Gerry was a light of hope for many lads over these decades, living out that light. His focus, determination and vision to give them something more, to help them realise that there is light within that can shine outside of each person, echoes from his connection with God and the gifts of the light of the Holy Spirit, which he knew was God’s gift to him.

“He knew that he was called to dutifully serve to help others to be an expression of the hope that they could be too. He was rightfully proud in a grateful way, of his Foyle Harps family and all their achievements; of all the lads who went to the heights of success and those who chieved their best at every level on between. Many of them are back here amongst us today to say “Thanks to be God for Gerry Doc.”

“Gerry will be dearly missed, but fondly remembered by everyone and anyone who had the privilege to meet and know him.”

“Gerry, may you be welcomed to your new office now in your eternal room in heaven. Your work here is done. Amen.”