Payback for billionaire O’Doherty a real driver for Derry City in Europe

His annual donation is estimated to be at least €1m, the springboard for the Candystripes to win the 2022 FAI Cup and provide the closest challenge to league leaders Shelbourne in an epic title race.

REAL DRIVER: Derry City chairman Philip O'Doherty celebrates after the Extra.ie FAI Cup Final. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ruaidhrí Higgins admits another European run would be a fitting reward for the investment pumped into Derry City by local billionaire Philip O’Doherty.

O’Doherty was already the club’s benefactor before selling his E&I Engineering business to American conglomerate Vertiv Holdings for almost $2bn in 2022.