Ben Doherty
{{Short description|Northern Irish footballer (born 1997)}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ben Doherty
| full_name = Ben Doherty
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1997|3|24}}
| birth_place = Derry, Northern Ireland
| height = 1.75m
| position = Left back
| currentclub = Derry City
| clubnumber = 14
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Institute
| youthyears2 = 2015–2016
| youthclubs2 = Derry City
| years1 = 2014–2015 | clubs1 = Institute | caps1 = 12 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2016–2018 | clubs2 = Derry City | caps2 = 47 | goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2018 | clubs3 = → Glenavon (loan) | caps3 = 19 | goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2019–2021 | clubs4 = Coleraine | caps4 = 70 | goals4 = 26
| years5 = 2021–2023 | clubs5 = Larne | caps5 = 59 | goals5 = 9
| years6 = 2023– | clubs6 = Derry City | caps6 = 67 | goals6 = 6
| nationalyears1 = 2017
| nationalteam1 = Northern Ireland U21
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 22:19, 3 April 2025 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 16:30, 16 January 2025 (UTC)
}}
Ben Doherty (born 24 March 1997) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a left back for League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City. He previously played for NIFL Premiership clubs Institute, Glenavon, Coleraine and Larne.
Career
=Institute=
A native of Derry, Doherty played in the academy of Institute, before making his debut in a 3–2 loss at home to Cliftonville on 16 August 2014.https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/08/16/northern-ireland/ifa-premiership/institute-fc/cliftonville-fc/1718857/ He went on to make a total of 13 appearances for the side in all competitions before departing the club in January 2015.https://ie.soccerway.com/players/ben-doherty/359291/
=Derry City=
Doherty joined League of Ireland club Derry City's under 19 side in 2015, remaining there for 2 seasons before being called up to the first team by manager Kenny Shiels.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/player/11121458/ben_doherty/|title=Ben Doherty | Stats | History | Career Details | Images | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football - Extratime.com|website=www.extratime.com}} He made his debut on 27 August 2016 in a 2–2 draw away to Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2016/0827/812400-bray-wanderers/|title=Bray fight back to draw with Derry|first=Paul|last=Buttner|date=August 27, 2016|via=www.rte.ie}} Doherty scored the first goal of his senior career on 30 August 2017 in a 3–0 win over Limerick at Maginn Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40771447|title=League of Ireland Premier Division: Derry City 3-0 Limerick|date=July 30, 2017|via=www.bbc.com}} He made the first European appearances of his career in July 2017 when Derry faced Danish side Midtjylland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/six-of-the-worst-as-danes-teach-derry-a-lesson/35880178.html|title=Six of the worst as Danes teach Derry a lesson|date=June 30, 2017|website=Irish Independent}}
=Coleraine=
On 28 December 2018, Doherty joined NIFL Premiership club Coleraine on a permanent basis, with midfielder Ciaron Harkin going in the opposite direction and joining Derry City as part of the deal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/confirmed-coleraine-sign-derry-citys-ben-doherty-in-ciaron-harkin-swap-deal/37667701.html|title=Confirmed: Coleraine sign Derry City's Ben Doherty in Ciaron Harkin swap deal|date=December 30, 2018|via=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk}} In later years, he described leaving Derry for Coleraine as the hardest decision of his career.{{Cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/derry-citys-ben-doherty-setting-the-bar-high-ahead-of-2024-season-kick-off-4477824|title="It was probably the hardest decision of my career to leave at the time."|date=January 14, 2024|website=Derry Journal}} He scored his first goal for the club on 18 January 2019, opening the scoring in a 2–1 win away to Ards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/46814537|title=FT: Ards 1-2 Coleraine|via=www.bbc.com}} Doherty scored 5 goals in 3 appearances in the club's run to winning the 2019–20 Northern Ireland Football League Cup, but missed out on the final as his side defeated Crusaders 2–1 at Windsor Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51518243|title=NI League Cup final: Coleraine come from behind to beat Crusaders|date=February 15, 2020|via=www.bbc.com}} He finished the 2019–20 season with 14 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions, his best goalscoring return to date. On 17 September 2020, Doherty scored the first European goals of his career, scoring twice in a 2–2 draw with Motherwell in a 2–2 draw before his side were knocked out of the UEFA Europa League on penalties by the Scottish Premiership club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54145465.amp|title=Coleraine 2-2 Motherwell: Scots edge through on penalties|date=September 16, 2020|website=BBC Sport}} On 8 July 2021, Doherty made his final appearance for the club, scoring his side's goal in a 2–1 loss away to Velež Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the UEFA Europa Conference League.{{Cite web|url=https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/goal-scorer-doherty-insists-coleraine-still-right-in-the-mix-despite-first-leg-defeat-at-velez/40634693.html|title=Goal scorer Doherty insists Coleraine still right in the mix despite first leg defeat at Velez|date=July 9, 2021|via=m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk}}
=Larne=
Doherty signed for NIFL Premiership club Larne on 27 July 2021, on a 3 year contract, with Conor McKendy signing for Coleraine as part of the deal.{{Cite web|url=https://larnefc.com/ben-doherty-signs-for-the-invermen/|title=Ben Doherty signs for the Invermen | Larne FC|date=July 27, 2021|website=larnefc.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57973769.amp|title=Irish Premiership: Ben Doherty joins Larne as Aaron McCarey & Jamie McDonagh swap Cliftonville & Glentoran|date=July 27, 2021|website=BBC Sport}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/larne-snap-up-ben-doherty-21159646.amp|title=Larne snap up Ben Doherty from Coleraine|date=July 27, 2021|website=Belfast Live}} On 11 January 2022, Doherty started the final of the 2021–22 County Antrim Shield as his side defeated Linfield 1–0 at Seaview.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59960979|title=Co Antrim Shield: Impressive Larne see off Linfield in gripping final to retain trophy|date=January 11, 2022|via=www.bbc.com}}
=Return to Derry City=
On 6 January 2023, Doherty returned to League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City on a 3 year contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ireland-live.ie/news/derry-now/1004845/ben-doherty-returns-to-derry-city-on-a-three-year-deal.html|title=Ben Doherty returns to Derry City on a three-year deal|first=Gary|last=Ferry|date=January 6, 2023|website=www.ireland-live.ie}} He made his returning debut on 10 February 2023, in the 2023 President of Ireland's Cup as his side defeated Shamrock Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0210/1355830-derry-city-2-0-shamrock-rovers/|title=Derry get better of Hoops to take President's Cup glory|first=Kevin|last=McLaughlin|date=February 10, 2023|via=www.rte.ie}} He made 43 appearances in all competitions during his first season with the club, scoring 5 goals as he helped them to secure UEFA Conference League football again for the following season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/ben-doherty-targets-milestone-derry-city-appearance-in-cork-after-life-changing-week-4382548|title="We've kept Shelbourne at arm's length and it's up to us to finish the job now."|date=October 23, 2023|website=Derry Journal}} At the end of the 2023 season, he was named in the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year by his fellow professionals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/1115/1416638-pfai-team-of-year-includes-one-shamrock-rovers-player/|title=PFAI Team of Year includes one Shamrock Rovers player|date=November 15, 2023|via=www.rte.ie}} On 11 October 2024, Doherty suffered a hamstring injury in a 1–1 draw with Bohemians which required surgery that ended his season and resulted in missing the 2024 FAI Cup final which his side lost 2–0 to Drogheda United at the Aviva Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/ruaidhri-higgins-relishing-st-pats-test-despite-mounting-defensive-concerns-4837750|title=Connolly is suspended while Coll and Doherty are out for the rest of the season|date=October 24, 2024|website=Derry Journal}}
International Career
Doherty received his first call up to the Northern Ireland U21 squad in August 2017 ahead of their game with Albania U21 in which he made his debut in a 1–0 win.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishfa.com/news/2017/august/northern-ireland-u21s-aiming-to-make-it-two-out-of-two|title=Northern Ireland U21s aiming to make it two out of two|website=IFA}} He made a total of 4 appearances for the side.
Career statistics
{{updated|match played on 18 April 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/ben-doherty/359291/|title=Northern Ireland - B. Doherty - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com}}
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National Cup{{efn|Includes Irish Cup & FAI Cup}} !colspan=2|League Cup{{efn|Includes Northern Ireland Football League Cup & League of Ireland Cup}} !colspan=2|Europe !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Institute
|12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 13 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="4"|Derry City
|2016 |rowspan="3"|LOI Premier Division |9 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 13 | 0 | |||
| 2017
|22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|Appearance(s) in the UEFA Europa League|name=statsUEL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 25 | 1 | ||
| 2018
|16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=statsUEL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 20 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!47 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 3 | 0 | ||
| Glenavon (loan)
|19 | 2 | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 20 | 2 | ||||
| rowspan="5"|Coleraine
|rowspan="4"|NIFL Premiership |16 | 3 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 19 | 4 | ||||
| 2019–20
|27 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 31 | 14 | |||
| 2020–21
|27 | 14 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 3{{efn|name=statsUEL}} | 2 | colspan="2"|– | 31 | 16 | |||
| 2021–22
|colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 1{{efn|Appearance(s) in the UEFA Europa Conference League|name=statsUECL}} | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 1 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!70 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | colspan="2"|– | 92 | 35 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Larne
|rowspan="2"|NIFL Premiership |38 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 5{{efn|2 appearances in the NIFL Premiership UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs; 3 appearances in the County Antrim Shield}} | 0 | 46 | 5 | ||
| 2022–23
|21 | 4 | colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=statsUECL}} | 0 | 0{{efn|Appearance(s) in the County Antrim Shield|name=statsCAS}} | 0 | 23 | 4 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!59 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 69 | 9 | |
| rowspan="4"|Derry City
|2023 |rowspan="3"|LOI Premier Division |34 | 5 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 6{{efn|name=statsUECL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in the President of Ireland's Cup|name=statsPOIC}} | 0 | 42 | 5 | ||
| 2024
|26 | 1 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 2{{efn|Appearance(s) in the UEFA Conference League|name=statsConf}} | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 32 | 1 | |||
| 2025
|7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 7 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!67 | 6 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 81 | 6 | ||
| colspan="3"|Derry City Total
!114 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 139 | 7 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!274 | 44 | 17 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 296 | 53 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
=Club=
;Coleraine
;Larne
;Derry City
=Individual=
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.extratime.com/player/11121458/ben_doherty/ Ben Doherty Extratime.com Profile]
{{Derry City F.C. squad}}
{{2023 PFAI League of Ireland Premier Division Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Doherty, Ben}}
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Institute F.C. players
Category:Derry City F.C. players
Category:Glenavon F.C. players
Category:Coleraine F.C. players
Category:NIFL Premiership players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Association footballers from Derry (city)
Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen
Category:People from Derry (city)
Category:Northern Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Northern Ireland men's under-21 international footballers