The Doc - "he was loved by all"

When Jim Gavin spoke about his team standing on the shoulders of giants one man in particular always sprung to mind, the late, great Seán Doherty.

Affectionately known as ‘The Doc’, Seán was indeed a giant of a man, in every way.  His untimely passing last July was another sad day for Dublin GAA, following just five months after the loss of Paddy Cullen, the man who stood resolutely behind him during those golden years in the 1970s. 

The Doc’s place in Dublin GAA folklore was cemented when, as Heffo’s captain, he climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand on 22 September 1974 and lifted the Sam Maguire Cup following Dublin’s defeat of Galway.   

The Doc remained a loyal fan of Dublin football teams.  It was not unusual to be leavingClones or Portlaoise or Breffni after a game and find yourself walking alongside Seán.  Indeed he still looked like he might do a job at Number 3!  And The Doc always had a word for the many who recognised him and was always popular with opposition supporters, a mark of the esteem in which he was held. 

This week some of his former team-mates spoke of their revered captain and his outstanding contribution to Dublin GAA. 

A key member of that team, Robbie Kelleher, recalled how welcoming Seán was when he first joined the Dublin panel as an eighteen year old.  

“He was always a bit of a father figure to me in terms of looking up to him.  Heffo had been there for a few years and after a break he came back and introduced a lot of changes.  One of them was to change the tradition that the captain of the team was taken from the county champions. Heffo appointed Seán as captain and it proved to be yet another Kevin Heffernan masterstroke.  He was very much a leader.  He was a tough man, hard as a rock.  We used to have training sessions and one of the exercises we used to do we used to punch each other in the stomach. And unfortunately I often got teamed up with Seán.  So I punched him in the stomach and he punched me in the stomach.  I can say that his punches were a lot harder than mine!  He was a tough man.”

Dublin midfielder Stephen Rooney remembered The Doc’s no-nonsense style and how effective it was.  “Seán was an old-fashioned full-back at the time. He guarded the square and that was his job.  Any high balls coming in he would look after them.  He marshalled Liam Sammon superbly in the 1974 final.  Sammon was a very good player but Seán was tight on him all through the match and didn’t give him many opportunities.”

Alan Larkin, who lined out in front of The Doc at number 6 in the 1974 final, recalled The Doc’s great leadership skills.  “He had such a strong will.  Heffo appointing him as captain in 1974 came out of the blue for many of us, but in The Doc he saw a lot of the strength that was required to kick start what he wanted to achieve.  Seán’s inner strength and his leadership skills were all recognised from day one by Heffo.  We were all only getting to know one another at that stage but from his own experiences Hefforecognised the presence of this man to lead the team, and he always remained a leader because of his endeavours.”

Alan outlined the key role that Seán played in keeping their tightly-knit group together and how The Doc remained an integral leader to the group for over fifty years. “The Doc recognised the importance of the group.  He understood the importance of building on the friendships and the bonds that were created at that time. Seán was instrumental in the organisation of get-togethers and events for the group and he never missed any of them.”  

Robbie Kelleher remembered that Seán instilled the belief in the team that they were good enough and that they could go all the way.  

“He very much led the team in 1973 and 1974 when we actually set out as no-hopers.  Once we got a bit of a taste of success in Leinster that year he was one of the guys who said ‘you know what - we can do it.’  Anything Seán would say you would listen, he was an incredibly strong man in every way.  He was a very important part of leading that team to being All Ireland champions.  My greatest image of him is when we won the All Ireland in 1974 he lifted the Sam Maguire cup up with one hand - and it’s a pretty hefty cup.”

Alan Larkin spoke of a man who had a gigantic presence but was hugely amenable and obliging.

“Seán was very astute.  He succeeded in business, he succeeded on the field of play, hesucceeded in the friendships he developed throughout the country.  Because of his size some people often felt intimidated by him.  But when they got chatting to him they suddenly realised how friendly and amenable he was and also how helpful and obliging he was.  If a club asked him to present medals or something he would always oblige them.”

“These were traits that were highly regarded and well respected.  He was always polite and respectful.  Everything was done for the good of the individual and of the group.  I don’t think anybody ever said a bad word about the Doc.”

Stephen Rooney fondly recalled how Seán insisted that he stay in his house in Rathfarnham after the Dublin winning banquet in 1974 which was held in Kill.

“Rather than find our way back to Balbriggan at the end of the evening Seán insisted we stay in his place in Rathfarnham.  Over the last number of years we roomed together regularly on various trips and I got to know him very well.  Seán was a very placid easy-going guy and very generous in every way.  He was loved by all.”

Indeed he was. An absolute gentleman.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.