Doherty claims historic award

Derry midfielder Fergal Doherty was yesterday honoured as the last ever Vodafone Footballer of the Month, following an awards ceremony in Dublin.

"I'm definitely honoured to receive this award. It's the first time I've got something like this," Doherty said.

"I'm accepting it on behalf of the panel. It's down to our league win over Kerry that I got it and I'm delighted to have it."

Doherty believes that Derry have answered their critics by delivering silverware in the shape of a National League title.

"There were people up in Derry who were just hoping that we would stay up in Division 1," the Bellaghy man said.

"But the players rallied together, we got results at the start and then found ourselves with a bit of belief. We said then why not go on and try and win it and we did."

Having returned from injury last month, Doherty played a major role in a power-packed Oak Leaf display during their final group games, and he also supplied a timely goal in Derry's final win over Kerry.

He feels that that comeback win over the All-Ireland champions, a display of grit and determination will stand his side well in the forthcoming championship.

"There are other teams in Ulster that have been renowned for their character and never say die attitude. We have tried to adopt that and thankfully everything worked to plan in the league final also."

One of Derry's most experienced players, Doherty is not talking up his side's chances in the Ulster championship and is fully aware of the tough tasks that lie ahead if the Anglo Celt Cup is to be hoisted by Kevin McCloy this summer.

He admitted: "It's going to be tough going. I would say that Ulster hasn't been this tough in the last ten years.

"You have the likes of Tyrone and Armagh, who maybe aren't firing on all cylinders at present, and ourselves who are firing. Then don't rule out the likes of Monaghan and Donegal either. It will be tough going."

The flame-haired midfielder believes that Derry's league success was not just down to the good work put in since the start of the year.

"We are knocking about this last couple of years. We have had a good team spirit going and have been in a few All-Ireland quarter-finals and semi-finals," he said.

"At the start of the year we said that we would have to show something for all our good work. We were going to big games and getting beaten gracefully, which was no good for us anymore."

Doherty also says that 'outside' factors have also contributed to Derry's success this year, including the positive display of players like Mark Lynch for UUJ in the Ulster Bank Sigerson Cup.

"Mark is a player who has great confidence and he has been playing well for the Poly and it showed for us. It has been rubbing off on us as well because he has been delivering quality performances for us all year."

It has been 15 years since Derry last held the Sam Maguire Cup and Doherty is hopeful that the Oak Leafers will be back in the winners' enclosure if not this year, maybe somewhere down the line.

"It's a bit too far away for us to say that at the moment, we just have to worry about Donegal firstly and we'll take it from there."

Meanwhile, Tipperary's Shane McGrath was named the Vodafone Hurler of the Month after the Ballinahinch man played a major role in the Premier county's National Hurling League Division 1 success.