Jason Doherty retires from intercounty football

JASON Doherty has retired from inter-county football, Mayo GAA has announced this evening (Saturday). 

The Burrishoole attacker made his debut for Mayo in 2011 and scored 17-153 in 132 league and championship appearances - the joint highest of any Mayo player in history - scoring 6-49 in 62 championship games.

He made his league debut against Kerry on February 20, 2011, later making his championship debut against London on the in May of that year.

In 2017, he received an All-Star nomination for his displays during a campaign which ended in a one-point All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin.

His final outing for the county came earlier this summer against Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-final at Croke Park.

Doherty's Roll of Honour includes two Connacht Under-21 titles (2008 and 2009), seven Connacht senior titles (2011-2015, 2020 and 2021), two Division One National Football League titles (2019 and 2023) and a Sigerson Cup title with Dublin Institute of Technology in 2013. He also played in an All-Ireland B final for Rice College as a student

In a statement, Doherty said: "Playing for Mayo has been a huge honour for me since I first pulled on the jersey as a Mayo minor in 2007. I am so thankful for the experiences I've had and the memories I've made over the last 13 years. There were so many ups and downs along the way, but I feel incredibly lucky to have shared a dressing room with a bunch of highly driven, ambitious and talented guys who have now become friends for life. 

"There are so many people who helped me along the way, including my club Burrishoole, the management teams who trusted me to wear the green and red jersey and every teammate I've has since 2011 who motivated me to max out on my efforts to reach a shared goal. 

"My wife Caroline, in particular, made so many sacrifices so that I could play for Mayo for as long as I did. I will always be grateful to her. My parents James and Margaret, my entire family, also supported me every step of the way. It would have been impossible for me to give football so much time and attention without their unquestioning support and that is something I will never forget. 

"Mayo supporters are incredible. It was always special to run on a field, anywhere in Ireland, to a great Mayo roar and feed off the energy they sent from the terraces. 

"I'd also like to thank my employer Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland and the various managers I've had over the years who gave me the flexibility to adapt my working week to accommodate the travel from Dublin to Mayo for training. Finally, I extend my best wishes to the management team and players involved with Mayo in 2024 and beyond. I'll miss the environment, the craic, the challenges, the problem solving and the carb loading, but most of all I'll miss that feeling of satisfaction after a hard-fought win and being able to look my teammates in the eye and have their respect. That's what made it all worthwhile."

Mayo GAA Chairperson Seamus Tuohy described Doherty as 'an exceptional player' and thanked him for his 'outstanding commitment and service to Mayo GAA'.

Mayo senior football manager manager Kevin McStay said: "When I was appointed Mayo manager, one of the first players I sought out was Jason. Every Mayo supporter is aware of his importance over the past decade. He was solid as a rock and a highly intelligent footballer with an instinctive understanding of what was needed on the field at any given time. He was also prepared to sacrifice himself for the team. He gave everything in 2023, when he recovered from his second serious injury to play for Mayo, but from talking to him at length, I respect his decision to step away now as he feels the time is right. Those who remain behind him are better players and men for having played with Jason Doherty."

We will have further coverage of Jason Doherty's intercounty retirement in Tuesday's Mayo News.