DECLAN DEVINE HAS heaped praise on Ger Doherty for the bravery shown by the goalkeeper during yesterday’s Ford FAI Cup final.
Doherty, an ever-present between the posts for the Candystripes, attended the funeral of his grandad Jim McDaid in Creggan on Sunday morning before travelling straight to Dublin to line out against St Patrick’s Athletic.
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The 28-year-old was in excellent form as Derry eventually won out 3-2 winners in extra-time. After the final whistle, the Derry manager spoke of his admiration for the player, who wore a black armband with “Grandad 1926-2012″ written on it.
“Ger Doherty, a man who buried his grandad this morning,” Devine said. “Nobody in the press knew anything about it. He hasn’t slept in two days. He came down, got his head down and won the cup for his grandad. That’s character.”
A former player with Derry, Devine was immensely proud to win the cup in his first year at the helm – and it showed.
“I’m lost for words and for me to be lost for words says a lot. It mean everything to me, the club and our fans (to win the cup). Our club was on its knees three years ago and thrown out of the league.
A group of local men regrouped and we’re back winning major honours today. We’re back in Europe. I’ve got fantastic staff, fantastic local players – both young and experienced – and if you were in that dressing room you would see what it means to them.
“This club is back where it belongs.
“The character we showed was incredible. I believed in my players. We were good enough to play five U21s today against a top, top side. I’ve been saying all year that when we have our strongest panel available, we have talent and we will go places.”
'Ger Doherty buried his grandad and won the cup in the same day. That's character' - Devine
DECLAN DEVINE HAS heaped praise on Ger Doherty for the bravery shown by the goalkeeper during yesterday’s Ford FAI Cup final.
Doherty, an ever-present between the posts for the Candystripes, attended the funeral of his grandad Jim McDaid in Creggan on Sunday morning before travelling straight to Dublin to line out against St Patrick’s Athletic.
The 28-year-old was in excellent form as Derry eventually won out 3-2 winners in extra-time. After the final whistle, the Derry manager spoke of his admiration for the player, who wore a black armband with “Grandad 1926-2012″ written on it.
“Ger Doherty, a man who buried his grandad this morning,” Devine said. “Nobody in the press knew anything about it. He hasn’t slept in two days. He came down, got his head down and won the cup for his grandad. That’s character.”
A former player with Derry, Devine was immensely proud to win the cup in his first year at the helm – and it showed.
“I’m lost for words and for me to be lost for words says a lot. It mean everything to me, the club and our fans (to win the cup). Our club was on its knees three years ago and thrown out of the league.
“This club is back where it belongs.
“The character we showed was incredible. I believed in my players. We were good enough to play five U21s today against a top, top side. I’ve been saying all year that when we have our strongest panel available, we have talent and we will go places.”
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Candystripes Declan Devine Derry City Emotional FAI Cup final FAI Cup final 2012 Ford FAI Cup final 2012 Ger Doherty grandad St. Patrick's Athletic