Doherty is determined to shackle the dangerman

FULL-BACKS are a rarity in Donegal. For years the county has been dragging defenders, comfortable in other sectors of the field, to the edge of the square.

Even Matt Gallagher, their All-Ireland winning full-back, was more at home in the corner.

In recent years, those tried in the spine bone of defence included John Joe Doherty, Paddy Campbell and of course, Mark Crossan. All fine defenders, but none a regular full-back. Ironically, it was the injury to their captain in the Ulster final that paved the way for a natural full-back, Eamon Doherty, to move into the team.

Still, it hasn't quelled the barrage of criticism aimed at Donegal's full-back line after each game. Too nervous, and not commanding enough, were the general feelings after the drawn game. It never changes in the north west.

"Donegal defence is always slated, no matter what," Doherty says. "Most defence are. If you look at the amount of space in Croke Park now, defenders are always going to be up against it. The new pitch is a forward's dream. And it's the way of things in Gaelic that forwards receive all praise.

"It's always midfielders or forwards, unless you are Moynihan or McGeeney. You don't see too many defenders getting man of the match awards. But our defence has played brilliantly all year. Only for the injuries to Mark and Barry, myself or Damien wouldn't have got our chance."

Doherty has been a regular face in the Donegal team since Mickey Moran took the reins. He played in all the games last season and was full-back at the start of the league. However, a slight dislocation of his shoulder meant he lost his place during the league.

"Yeah, I dislocated my shoulder and then when I returned to full fitness a few weeks later, tore a muscle in my calf. I never had an injury before in my life, but it's true what they say about injuries, it never rains but it pours."

The two injuries curtailed his first team involvement with Donegal. Crossan was moved to the edge of the square, where he impressed Moran. Doherty was left to sit out the early days of summer.

"It was disappointing not to be able to get back into the team, but from the squad's point of view it was a good thing, because it shows the strength in depth we had."

An injury to Crossan in the Ulster final meant Doherty regained his place. No sooner was Doherty back in the team than the mercurial ability of Graham Geraghty hoved into view. Baptised with fire against one of the most talented footballers in the country, Doherty emerged with a lot of credit from the toughest assignment any full-back could wish for.

"When I started against Meath, I was worried about my match fitness. My overall fitness levels were okay, but I hadn't taken part in a competitive match for a long time.We can't play with the club while Donegal are still in the championship."

While he managed to curb the influence of Geraghty, the last day in Croker saw some slings and arrows directed at Doherty after he allowed Ray Cosgrove to escape for the first goal. He admits now that the first goal was his mistake, but was generally pleased with how he handled Dublin's best forward.

"I was caught for a ball over the top, but Cosgrove still had a lot to do. He still had to beat three players and his finish was brilliant. His second goal came from a mistake further out the field, but apart from that, I think I did okay. He's a finisher, and you can't give him space in front of goal.

"We know more about Dublin now, we know what to expect. We didn't know that much about them before the drawn game, just what we saw on telly with the Meath, Kildare games, and you can only learn so much from television, you don't see the positions the forwards like to take up in showing for the ball."

A defender in the traditional mode, Doherty likes to clear his line swiftly with the minimum of fuss, Doherty has shown he is able to adapt to the Mickey Moran school where every defender must be as comfortable on the ball as every attacker. That he is comfortable as a ball playing full back is to Donegal's advantage.

In the four years he has slogged with the panel, Doherty has never felt the team spirit as tangible as it has been this year. Over the past 18 months the full-back has noticed a sea change. "There is a different atmosphere. Everybody is more involved, it's the best atmosphere I can ever remember with a Donegal panel. When I first came into the squad there were little cliques who kept to themselves.

"The whole thing is a lot more close knit and I think that's down to Moran and Morrison. John Morrison calls it Club Donegal and that what it feels like. We are part of a club."

This year, that has been even more apparent. Morrison, known as much for his unconventional training methods as his sports psychology, has received a lot of praise from the Donegal team. They talk of his galvanising effect on the team. Doherty is no different.

"The last ten minutes the last day we showed we are as fit as any of the teams left in the championship.

In every game we have played we have finished the stronger. And again, that's down to Mickey and John. "Morrison keeps telling us that 40% of fitness is mental, and we have taken that on board."

Doherty runs a family pub in the picturesque south Donegal village of Ardara whom he skippered to a fairytale county championship( usually the preserve of an elite few) a couple of years ago. He enjoys being at the receiving end of the banter behind the bar, where everyone on the other side is an expert on how to handle Cosgrove, but he has been swift to remind people that just because everyone is talking up the last game as a classic, doesn't mean this afternoon's encounter will follow suit.

"This game could be totally different, it might be a dog fight, it might be a matter of grinding out a result, but we know we are capable of beating Dublin. We just have to dig deep in order to do it."

And how far can a Donegal side bubbling with confidence , and improving with every step, go? "It might be a cliché, but for the moment, all we are thinking about is the Dublin game. We met up on Sunday, and analysed where we went wrong the last day. That's has been the only thing on our mind all week."

And the only thing on Eamon Doherty's mind is how to stop the capital's chief sniper Cosgrove. Prepare yourself for edge of the seat stuff on the edge of Donegal's square this afternoon.