Earlier this evening, Jason Doherty brought down the curtain on his days as an inter-county footballer. The official announcement from Mayo GAA is here.
The Burrishoole player made his Mayo debut in early 2011, coming off the bench against Kerry in the National League and over the thirteen seasons he played for the county he won seven Connacht SFC medals as well as two National League ones. He was nominated for an All-Star in 2017.
When he first broke through at Senior level in James Horan’s first season as manager, he initially formed part of a potent full-forward line with Alan Freeman. Jason bagged seven goals from five starts in that breakout League campaign.
Once he made his Championship debut that summer, on that near-fatal day against London over in Ruislip, Jason shifted to the half-forward line. It was in the middle third where he operated for much of his inter-county after that.
In that role, the Burrishoole man epitomised the modern Gaelic footballer. Full of running, first to the breaking ball, incredibly hard-working and always with an eye for a booming score from distance, points that, for a Mayo fan, were always a joy to see flying over the bar.
The Mayo team that hit the heights in that era contained many households names, players instantly recognisable across the country. Jason, by contrast, tended to fly below the radar but Edwin McGreal is surely right – as Ed so often is – when he noted this evening that, even if the rest of the country didn’t appreciate this, Mayo people knew full well Jason Doherty’s worth and what he contributed to the cause.
The two cruciate injuries Jason suffered saw him out of action for an extended period from 2019. True to form, however, he battled back and last year saw him lining out for us in a Championship match once more for the first time in close to three years.
The final match he started for Mayo was this year’s All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final match against Galway. Coincidentally, his first full appearance for the county had been against the Tribesmen too, in that 2011 National League campaign. His final appearance in the Green and Red came, though, in the All-Ireland quarter-final against Dublin, where he same on as a sub for Sam Callinan.
The retirement announcements of all those great warriors whose efforts propelled us to within touching distance of glory over the last decade have come as hammer blows to Mayo supporters. Jason’s, though expected, is no different and, given the special place so many fans have in their hearts for him, in particular in light of the courageous way he battled back from serious injury, I suspect this announcement will sting rather badly.
Mayo supporters owe Jason a large debt of gratitude for all he contributed to the cause over the past thirteen years. Thanks for everything you did, Jason, and the very best of luck to you and your family in the future.
Thanks for your service Jason, always a classy guy on and off the pitch. Deserved an all Ireland medal for all his commitment.
One of my favourite players. Emptied the tank in every game.
A master at winning dirty ball and always good for a score.
Such a gentleman
. Deserved a celtic cross thanks for the memories & commitment to mayo gaa
On his day he was unmarkable. His injuries were harsh but loved to see him playing with confidence. Like many before him, we owe Jason our heartfelt gratitude for years of commitment, dedication and many golden moments. I’m sad to see him go but wish him a happy and enjoyable retirement. Maigheo go deo.
Thank you Jason for all your effort and commitment over the years
Honestly and pride in the jersey was always obvious. Enjoy your club football.
Another good man gone. It’s a shame seeing those great players from that era come to the end of their county careers without the reward they strived so hard to achieve. Jason was part of a really excellent team. Mayo 2013 to 2017 were excellent. Will be difficult for the present group to match them but they need time and patience without daft expectations. Thanks for all your efforts Jason.
A key player for us for years. Was brilliant against Cork when we beat them in Limerick. Jason could win dirty ball that he wasn’t meant to win and good for scores. Thanks Jason…a real shame he didn’t end up with a medal. We could do with a few more Jason Doherty’s in current team.
Terrific player for Mayo..deserved an All Star same as Kevin Mcloughlin and Donie Vaughan. best wishes your inter county retirement Jason, one of the very best!
Jason, thank you for delighting us on the field in the Mayo jersey for years.
Thank you for making us proud, for your skill, tenacity, accuracy, determination and courage.
Andy Moran said that Jason played a big part in making Andy the player he was in his latter playing years and allowing him to reach the heights of winning Player of the Year in 2017. He said that Jason took on the role of tracking Andy’s marker when the defender ran back the other way. As Andy said himself, he wasn’t the fastest man on the pitch.
Therefore, in addition to Jason’s goal and point-scoring ability and knack for winning dirty ball, he was also a speedy and tenacious runner. Jason was able to take on responsibility. I was floored by Jason’s desire and commitment to work back into a Mayo jersey after two ACL injuries. And I must also note the man’s phenomenal level of solidity and commitment in travelling to training in Mayo from Dublin for years.
Go n’éirí leat, a Jason – you have had an understated presence, going about your business without fuss on the field, but you are a Mayo legend. Every happiness to you.
Thanks for your service Jason a great man to get a goal when he burst onto the scene injuries were cruel to him but a proper mayo footballer
Provided the ammunition for so many scores. Not the biggest fan of stats but the amount of turnovers and assists that man has would be off the charts. Some example of resilience to anyone who has had injuries and doubted if they’ve got it to come back again. Thanks Jason.
“The final match he started for Mayo was this year’s Connacht final against Galway.”
Mayo were not in the final this year.
You are, of course, correct DermotF and thanks for pointing out my silly error. I’ll correct it now.
Terrific player but his mental strength is unbelievable. To be able to compete at the highest level for a place in the starting 15 during Mayo’s greatest sustained efforts while battling a series of injuries speaks volumes of the man. Yet another warrior that owes the county and supporters nothing.
“even if the rest of the country didn’t appreciate this” as a outsider he was a serious baller. I always thought corner f was his best position
Jason is a quality player, did his talking on the pitch, played hard and fair and worked hard shifts. And he played smartly using his head, making the right decisions. Must have been a pleasure to play with and manage. Need to cherish this type of player in Mayo. When he went on Comer this year in Salthill, I knew he’ll do the job. A classy, versatile player
Mile buiochas Jason for all the memories
A great servant for the Mhuigeo cause!
Go neiri leath i gconai
Mhuigeo Abú!
Good luck Jason you gave everything when you were on the field hope you and yours have a long and happy life together
Best of luck to Jason on his retirement. Unassuming,no fuss just got on with whatever job he was given to do on the day. On the periphery of the team in the early days,he must have worked so hard on his game as he became undroppable in the mid teens.
We were always a better team with Jason playing that’s for sure. But to make his way back from a double cruciate to play at the highest level again, especially at his stage in his football life speaks volumes about the man.
An excellent servant and so courageous. Wish him all the best for the rest of his club career
Best of luck with your future endeavours, Jason. A seriously underrated footballer as many have said above. Such a shame he didn’t get his Celtic cross for all his hard work and dedication over the years. Go néiri leat!
Such a great servant, always one of my favourite players. As was said, he was of the few for us that could kick from distance. When you look back on it we were blessed with our middle third, Doc, McLoughlin, Keegan, Boyler, Vaughan, Seamie O’Shea, Parsons etc. We have some fantastic new players that bring something new to the table, but we are definitely missing some of these legends who simply won’t be replaced. Enjoyed every day I got to see the likes of Doc playing for Mayo, my personal favourite perrormance was when he stepped up after Cillian’s black card against Kerry in 2017. Enjoy retirement Jason, you deserve it.
Always thought Jason was a class act just went about his business on the pitch and was a gent off the pitch also .
For someone to come back and play at the top level of the game after his awful injuries says a lot about him and the commitment he gave .
Enjoy the retirement Jason you deserve it sadly this is the time of year that the retirements come and I’d say there will be a few more yet.
The ref in the Ladies Final Dublin v Kerry, seems to have forgotten what the Yellow Card is for..whatever about Yellow Cards I doubt he will be getting any Christmas Cards from the Kingdom.
Another Mayo player that has delivered in finals has gone.
Jason was a great ball winner around the middle, scraped for everything, slowly but surely the great players from 2011 to 2017 have all nearly left the scene, with only A O Shea, McLoughlin and Cillian O Connor now in the panel.
Great guy, brilliant servant to Mayo football. Spent a train journey from Castlebar to Dublin in his company- wonderful company.
His performance against Kerry in the SF replay in 2017 was for me a particular highlight.
Nothing more can be said about a true superstar,I would only say that he was a true successor of Colm Mac,perhaps we will get over the line,but if we do it is certainly down to their efforts
https://www.dublingaa.ie/news/raheny-get-the-better-of-cuala-in-go-ahead-senior-1-football-championship-opener
Robbie Hennely lined out in goal for Raheny against Austin O’Malleys Cuala in the Dublin Senior championship yesterday evening.
@Achill75 fair play to hennelly hard moving clubs etc but living in Dublin the commute would be awful to mayo 3/4 times a week to mayo for training for his club glad he lined out in goal for Raheny .
I still think though that reape is our man for oyr main goalie spot had some amazing saves racially in league final yes bit off in championship but think they were all off during championship after going 100 miles an hour during league as I’ve said reape is young and needs to work on kick outs but he’s a top classgolie in the making .
Even though inevitable it’s sad to see another of our best team in years depart. Jason gave everything to the cause. Hardworking, brave and honest. Like the others he will be missed and remembered. Unfortunately I don’t think he’ll be the last one this year.
Leantimes what’s cards got to do with Jason Dohertys retirement from inter County football
@Nephin yeah agree with you. Really hope Kevin mc gives it another year I think aido will stay on ..
Jason….a great bit of stuff!
Fair Play to Jason Doherty he always gave 100 percent for Mayo
Thank you Jason.
Robert, cards have nothing to do with Jason Doherty retirement. I paid tribute to Jason in an earlier post. You might add your own tribute yet.
Well done amd thank you to one our greatest servants. A player of grit and determination. Solid.
An unsung hero,they make them teak tough in Burrishoole.
Jason Doherty’s point from under the hogan stand just before half time in the 2012 semi final would be one of my great memories of a great player.fantastic strike of the ball
Thank you Jason Doherty. You gave so much to the Mayo cause.
Great player, great servant and a great man. Thanks for the memories !
Thanks a million Jason. Never gave less than his all, and a man who opponents rarely got the better of. How we could do with him at his peak in the half forward line now. Some commitment to come back from two huge injury setbacks late in his career. Very best wishes for the future.
I remember Jason’s performance in the Super 8s game against Donegal in a McHale Park cauldron in 2019.
I wasn’t at the game but listening on the radio. Hennelly was kicking long into Jason and another player beyond midfield, almost in the half forward line. Jason was cleaning up and won a treasure trove of ball for us that day. Horan assigned him that special role and knew he could trust Jason. Unfortunately he got injured and had to come off after half time, as I remember. He had left his mark by then. Jason had a key role in that legendary game.
Ahem, I’m not sure if I remember correctly (was listening on the radio and there was no coverage on RTE).
Jason was either winning our own kickouts or the Donegal kickouts that day.
But it was unexpected and majestic.
Jason a chara, go raibh míle maith agat. Every time you pulled on the Mayo geansaí you gave 100% from start to finish. Many lesser players than you have a celtic cross but I’m certain that you and our great Mayo team will be remembered long after the odd fortuitous All Ireland winners scattered here and there throughout the country. Wishing you the best of luck in the years ahead.
Thank you Jason for your effort your skill and your commitment…enjoy your days with your club
Thank you Jason for the dedication to Mayo football over the years.
Like many other great players, the hard work and sacrifice made for the love of the game will be respected by many for a long time.
Good luck in the next endeavour, whatever that may be.
New pod online for club members featuring an exclusive interview with Jason Doherty. It’s up now on Patreon.
Thank you Jason DOC, loved your quiet, unassuming manner but tough as teak. A real Mayo legend. Nothing braught more joy to this house than hearing of your return after your injuries. Each time you were named or came on we felt reassured that you would steady the ship.
Your are one true gentleman to boot. Your kindness & thoughtfulness will be forever cherished.
I hope you enjoyed your Mayo career & go on to manage some day. I’ll never forget who scored 1st the penalty in GAA shootout, we were lucky to witness it.
You will be so missed Jason. Every good wish to you, your wife & family. You’ll be a fantastic Dad. Full respect for what you braught to Mayo football. M & M
Jason never took a backwards step in his life. When the GAA thesaurus tries to define resilient and teak tough you’ll find Brian Dooher and right alongside him,Jason Doherty.
I too remember that game v Donegal in 2019. It was his finest performance in a Mayo jersey imo( even though it was cut short)He had a huge influence on the outcome of that game.But his performances ,his longevity ,travel ,commitment,return from injuries simply add up to a Laochra Gael.