AS BAPTISMS of fire go, they don’t come any hotter than Dublin in 2013 and Armagh on Sunday for one of Donegal’s teak tough defenders.
St Eunan’s star Éamon Doherty has vivid memories of his first-ever National Football League clash with Dublin in Ballybofey in April 2013. Tír Chonaill were reigning All-Ireland champions and the Dubs were determined to reassert the status quo.
And the 24-year-old has bitter-sweet memories of Paul Mannion, his direct opponent, who gained a somewhat fortunate draw for Jim Gavin’s men with a last-gasp effort in a feisty affair in Ballybofey. Mannion’s late smash and grab act sent Donegal down to Division Two.
Doherty had only just finished in college a few weeks previously and then he was told by Donegal boss Jim McGuinness that he would be starting.
“That was indeed a baptism of fire,” he said.
“The thing I remember most of all about that match was the sheer incredible pace of the game. It took a while to get your bearings and to just get to the speed of the game.
“I was marking Paul Mannion that day and he got that vital late score, so it was a very disappointing day. But it was really nice to be involved.”
And getting involved on a regular basis with this Donegal team is a true challenge, as Doherty knows only too well.
“Just look at the defence – you have the two McGees, Paddy McGrath, Frank McGlynn, Karl Lacey, the two McHughs, and now Anthony Thompson is back fighting for a place," he added.
“Donegal has one of the best defences in the country and that’s why it is so hard to get a permanent place.
“Some people say Donegal do not have a great pick but if you look at the bench there are at least 22 guys who could start on any given day. Of course it is hard to sit on the bench but you just have to keep working harder to get better.
“Rory [Gallagher] has given me a very big chance to establish myself this year as I have started all the League matches apart from Derry and the National Football League semi-final against Cork.”
And few teams work harder for success than the men from Armagh led by Kieran McGeeney, who always had the cut of a centurion.
Doherty had a close view from the bench of the Orchard county in action against Donegal in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final in a match where Donegal diced with death. With four minutes to go, it looked like Armagh had pummelled Donegal into submission.
It took two unscripted moments of sheer brilliance from Michael Murphy and Paddy McBrearty to take Donegal through to the
semi-final. Tír Chonaill were also helped hugely by a superb goal from Odhrán Mac Niallais to keep them to the fore in the opening half.
“Armagh are a big physical team and always had that aura going right back to the days when Joe Kernan was in charge," Doherty said.
“If you looked at them, you could say they bullied their way to football’s top table through a very pragmatic, focused type of football. I played against them in a Dr McKenna Cup match two years ago but I was very impressed by them in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final.
“They have loads of power and presence right through the team, and they work incredibly hard for each other. I thought they really had their homework done on us last year.
“Although they also have their own distinct style. They gave us a huge fright, had a game plan that they stuck to rigidly and almost prevailed. They wore us down and hit like we do on the counter-attack but also had some clever foot passes.
“But we made it hard for ourselves by not applying what we were doing in training. Luckily, we got a few magical scores to take us through.”
And Doherty reckons Donegal will face a huge challenge on a tight pitch against a team that has a very powerful spine.
“Right from the full-back Charlie Vernon, they have loads of power and physique,” he said.
“Stefan Forker and Stefan Campbell caused us major problems last year. And Kevin Dyas, Tony Kernan and especially Jamie Clarke can wreak havoc on any defence.
“The Athletic Grounds will be a really tight cauldron. Space will be at a premium, so I don’t think there will be too much flowing football. It is very much the spiritual home of Armagh and they will turn it into a real fortress.
“But we are in really good shape and the training has really been stepped up in the past few weeks. There is a tremendous battle for places in this Donegal team and I am just hoping that I will be in contention for Sunday.”
Doherty was also an observer at Donegal’s last epic battle with Tyrone a few weeks ago.
“There is never too much between the sides and they had an off day when we beat them pretty well in the League. We were always expecting a response from Tyrone and we really got just that.”
Doherty missed out on selection that day because of the return of Colm McFadden, who played a deeper role. When asked to give at least one example of the difference between new boss Rory Gallagher and Jim McGuinness, he joked: “Rory is good with his right foot and Jim was good with his left.”
On a more serious note, he said Gallagher has put his own stamp on matters.
“He is very clear on what he wants and is a great man for executing the basic skills of Gaelic football, especially kicking skills. Sometimes he joins in and you can see why he was such a fine striker of a football.
“Kick passing is a very important skill and it is vital if we are to get the ball into Michael Murphy.”
And what of Éamon Doherty?
Well, the Maths teacher will be working hard on all angles in this very professional Tír Chonaill set up. And he will be more than ready to step into an Orchard county cauldron quietly determined to give it his very best shot.
For Doherty, there is no other way.
