Derry in safe hands with Gerard Doherty

THE last 12 months have been busy for Gerard Doherty. Since the summer he has celebrated his 30th birthday, married his girlfriend Edele and two weeks ago he was honoured at a black tie event in Dublin when he was awarded the Airtricity SWAI Goalkeeper of the Year Award for 2011.

Gerard and Edele have one son, Lennán; they are expecting their second child in August.

“The last few months have been pretty hectic but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” smiled Doherty.

If 2012 is any where near as fruitful as 2011 was for the Creggan shot-stopper then he will have no complaints.

“I don’t want to get ahead of myself and I don’t set targets for myself. I always keep my feet firmly on the ground and the main aim for me is that Derry City Football Club are doing well.”

Days after the departure of former Candy Stripe boss, Stephen Kenny, Doherty, along with midfielder Ruaidhri Higgins was the first to sign a contract extension.

“I’ve signed for another four years. I am so thankful to the board of directors the way they handled everything. I signed my new contract before Declan Devine was announced as manager so I had met with Philip [O’Doherty - chairman] and Sean Barrett [vice-chairman]. I can’t speak highly enough of them. There was no messing around, they told me that they wanted to keep me at Derry City and the deal was done rather quickly - there’s only one team I want to play for and that’s Derry City.”

Rumours descended upon the Brandywell when Stephen Kenny joined Shamrock Rovers that he was going to make signing Doherty one of his number one objectives. Did he ever consider a move south?

“There are always going to be rumours and that’s exactly what they were. Everyone jumped to conclusions and I just want to put the matter to bed - I am a Derry City player and that’s the end of it.”

Soon after Doherty signed his contract extension with Derry, the board revealed that Stephen Kenny’s assistant manager, Declan Devine, would be the man to replace him.

“I was delighted when I heard that Decky and Paul Hegarty were coming in to take over. Decky really deserves his chance and I think he’ll do well.

“I’ve worked with Declan for quite a while so I know what type of person he is and what he expects. I’ve never worked with Paul Hegarty before but I have heard all about his reputation - Paul will bring a lot more discipline to the team this year - I am really looking forward to working with him.

“It looks like we are going to have a smaller squad compared to previous seasons so it means that we have to be in the best shape possible. The training we are doing is certainly going to have the team in the best shape it’s been in.”

Declan Devine is also a former Derry City goalkeeper. Doherty said that although Devine’s skill as a player was in goal he said that he is very much hands on when it comes to all areas of training.

“Declan can take goalkeeping training session when he needs to but even under Stephen Kenny he was all about directing training and making sure all of the players were putting themselves through the paces.

“He’s a fantastic coach and a great manager and I am sure that when it comes to the beginning of the new season we’ll be ready.”

Everyone knows that pre-season training is something that all professional footballers dread.

“When Declan took over from Stephen he said that the one thing he wanted to improve was the fitness of the team.

“Training has been tough but everything’s going really well. We are starting most mornings at around 7a.m. and then we’ll have another training session in the evening time.”

Now 30, Doherty is regarded as one of the older players in the team. He’s seen very much as a mentor by players such as 21 year-old centre-back Thomas McMonagle.

“It’s always important that the young players coming through get their chance and Declan has said that if they are good enough and he thinks they are ready then they will get a shot.

“I think that some of the younger players have made the mistake in the past by underestimating what’s required when they move up to the senior team.

“Perhaps now that some of them have had a bit of experience they will be able to make an impression on the team this season.”

Many Derry City supporters would have said that Doherty was the club’s best player last season.

The Linsfort Drive man put in several top class displays last season and played a huge part in Derry’s impressive run of clean sheets.

“I suppose when I look back, 2012 was a successful year. However, I would have to say that the year we won the First Division was also really enjoyable. I suppose when I look back the reason for that was because the team had all gone through so much and come out at the end of it.

“On a personal note I was delighted when I got my award in Dublin a few weeks ago. I was also happy making it into the team of the season but there’s something very special when you pick up award that has been decided on the vote of the players. These are the guys you are playing against week in week out so receiving recognition was something I was very happy with.

“I looked at the award after I received it and noticed that the last Derry City player to receive it was David Forde so I think that that shows just the kind of a calibre of player you are up against.”

Declan Devine has made no secret of this belief that Gerard Doherty should have more Northern Ireland international caps to his name.

In recent weeks Devine has said that he has invited current Northern Ireland boss and former Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O’Neill to the Brandywell next season.

“I think it’s great news that a Northern Ireland manager might come to the Brandywell to watch us play.

“International duty is not something that is at the forefront of my mind to be honest because I am focused on my job here at Derry City.

“However, if the call came I think it’s something that I would have to give some serious consideration to. Never say never,” he smiled.

Doherty is certainly relishing the start of the new season and in particular, he’s looking forward to playing against Cork City in Turner’s Cross.

“I don’t think the Cork fans like me too much down there,” he joked. “I think it goes back to when myself and George O’Callaghan clashed there a few seasons ago.

“Despite all that I have huge respect for the Cork City fans as they remind me of the Derry City supporters. Turner’s Cross is always a tough place to go but I am looking forward to when both teams lock horns again.”

He added: “2012 is going to be a big year for us. Only time will tell how the team will get on but believe me when I tell you this, it will not be for the want of trying. There’s a great spirit at the club and Declan Devine is the right man for the job.

“Fingers crossed that 2012 will be every bit as eventful as last year was.”