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Mourne Maestro - Paddy "Mo""IF Paddy Doherty is not the greatest player in Gaelic football, then I will do the Hucklebuck on top of the Hogan Stand," wrote Showband superstar, Brendan Bowyer in his memoirs. And a host of Down fans would support this tribute to the legendary bricklayer from Ballyklnlar. His deadly accurate left boot helped to shoot the Mourne county to the pinnacle of the GAA world. But there was never any danger of Paddy "Mo' getting a swelled head, for a no-nonsense approach, allied to a keen sense of humour and basic shyness kept those devastating boots firmly on the sod. In fact, so overcome by the big occasion, when he went forward to receive the Sam Maguire Cup as captain in 1961, and was congratulated by President De Valera, he forgot the few words of Irish instilled by County Chairman George Tinnelly, simply muttered "Thanks, awfully," and fled down the steps of the Hogan Stand. Tragedy was to follow, a few years after that historic triumph, for when Paddy clashed with a referee after a club match in Newcastle, he was suspended, turned to soccer, and looked like ending his playing career "outside the Pale." Happily he came back, was restored to the county squad, and went on to win All-lreland and National League medals in 1968, and finally became Down team manager for a period. What was the secret behind Paddy's superb ball control and deadly accuracy with that famous left foot? It all goes back to those boyhood days at Ballykinlar when no less than seven Dohertys played for the club side, including cousins and uncles. Spot-kicking became a mania with young Paddy, who used to spend hours practising in the school playground and later on the football pitch, shooting in at anyone who would stand in goal. Sometimes milk-bottles were placed on the goal-line to develope the accuracy which later established Doherty as the penalty-taker supreme. Some years later he scored no less than 14 points for Ulster in a Railway Cup match! At the age of 16. Paddy was selected for a County Minor team which included Pat Durkin, Michael and John O'Hagan, Ronnie Moore, Mick McCashin and Lenny Curran, while the captain was a chap from Burren called Green.
But this setback was soon forgotten when Doherty was selected for the County Senoir squad in the McKenna Cup, and he got the winning point against Tyrone after Hughie Carr was fouled in the square when the sides were level. Paddy blazed the penalty shot over the bar, but it was enough. |
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