'Wee Joe' bows out of Derry football at 76!

Joe Doherty - or 'Wee Joe' as he's known to the multitudes of players he's played with or against down the years in Derry - finally called full-time on football at 76 years-young with a final, specially arranged match among friends .

Under doctor’s orders to slow down, the diminutive centre back, who has been playing four times a week for the past 37 years, called it a day on his five-a-side career. Gracing both indoor and outdoor arenas, and playing Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays with greats such as Jobby Crossan, Felix Healy, Harry Sharkey and Terry Harkin, to name a few, the teetotaller and non-smoker was still in the Templemore Sports Complex gym daily until the recent Covid19 closed everything down.

But now Old Father Time has caught up with Joe who admits he will miss playing the beautiful game.

"A combination of sore hips, sore knees and age has caught up with me!" laughs Joe, "My doctor has told me it’s time to call a halt. I’ve loved every minute of it and wouldn’t change it for the world."

And even if he has to step back from the pitch, he jokes at having played longer than the great Jobby Crossan.

"Jobby retired last year so at least I can say I lasted longer than him at the five-a-side even though he hung his up at 80!"

Sunday’s game at a wet and windy Bay Road witnessed a great turnout of past and present players to give Joe a send off. Former Northern Ireland international and Derry City treble winner, Felix Healy, made a special presentation to Joe on behalf of all the Bay Road Sunday squad and paid tribute to the 76 years-old.

"It’s great to see the Wee Man still playing the game at his age," explained Felix, "We all aspire to keep playing but to reach 76 and still be playing four times a week, hats off to him."

As Sunday’s game came to a close, an emotional Joe was applauded from the pitch and says he will take great memories with him.

"I’ll sorely miss not playing but I’ve great memories. I’ve played with my son, Sean, in Creggan and with the likes of Jobby, Herbie Wade, Bobby Ross and not forgetting Andy and Brendan from the Long Tower Old Boys days in Creggan. But I will miss the Sunday game most of all. A big 'Thank You' to Damien Clifford, McCaffs, Stewarty, Cormac McKeown and Barry Desmond as well as the younger lads.

"To the ‘younger boys’ whom I’ve played with at Bay Road for the past two years. They’ve shown great respect for age when it comes to tackling but still made me work during the game. Hopefully, God willing, I will still be on the sidelines watching for a few years yet.