JOE meets Mayo’s goal-poacher Jason Doherty

With Mayo and Roscommon going head-to-head for the Connacht crown on Sunday, JOE spoke to Mayo corner-forward Jason Doherty about emulating former heroes, proving Fergal O'Donnell right and a love affair with his boots.

By William Nestor

If Mayo are to reclaim their Connacht title from Roscommon on Sunday they will do so with one of the most inexperienced full-forward lines in their Championship history.

Cillian O’Connor, Alan Freeman and Jason Doherty have a combined total of seven Championship starts and this will be the rookies’ first senior Connacht football final.

Hyde Park will be transformed into a cauldron for their baptism of fire but it’s a challenge which Doherty – a prolific goalscorer in the Green and Red throughout the National League – is well prepared for.

“We’re looking forward to it. We’re slowly building up this year and hopefully this will be another step forward. We’ll need to up the performance from the Galway game, that’s for sure,” says the Burrishoole clubman and NUIG student.

I’d like to stick with the same boots. I wouldn’t like to change them at this stage.

From Belmullet to Ballyhaunis and Kiltimagh to Kiltane, opinion on whether Mayo have enough muscle to overpower the might of Roscommon varies. It’s of no concern to Doherty, however. It’s an aspect of his game he’s continually worked on since he was brought into the panel at the end of last year.

“The intensity should be very high on Sunday, especially as it’s in the Hyde in front of their home crowd. They’ll be physical but we’ll be just as physical. I think we can live with them in that department. We’ve got the training under us to deal with that,” Doherty says.

“We’ve had Ed Coughlan over from England for strength and conditioning. We’ve been doing a programme since the end of October and it’s really helped me. Last year I was brought in for the weights and that brought me on but this year I’ve toned up more and done a lot of core work.”

He may not be a menacing physical figure but his greatest attribute is undoubtedly his acute eye for goals. The 21-year-old, having scored upwards of 20 goals between club, county and college this year, has yet to break his Championship duck but believes his lucky boots will eventually work the magic.

“I think I got seven goals in the league, about six for the club and a good few for the college as well. But chances in the Championship are scarce and it’s a lot tighter.

"I’d like to stick with the same boots. I wouldn’t like to change them at this stage. They’re the ones I wore throughout the league and if they were ever taken on me I wouldn't be best pleased."

Despite the goals drying up temporarily, Roscommon manager Fergal O’Donnell still fears Doherty and his companions in attack. Earlier this week the former Rossie star heaped the praise on the Mayo forwards in a possible attempt at mind games, but Doherty is remaining focused and knows that the last line of attack is still a work in progress.

“He’s always going to talk it up, isn’t he?” Doherty quips after being informed of O’Donnell’s mind games tactics. “But it’s up to us to deliver. This Sunday we can decide whether we’re good enough or not.

“I think everyone is trying to play their best to make the team no matter who’s there and there are a lot of good lads on the panel. I know Alan [Freeman] very well from playing up through the ranks with him, we’d be the same age group, but this is my first year playing with Cillian [O’Connor]. He’s a very clever footballer. I think the three of us have a good understanding.”

This is the big test for the inside three and emulating stars of yesteryear is something that plays on the Newport native’s mind. Doherty plays his club football with Burrishoole, the club that has produced numerous exceptional inter-county stars. The robust Colm McManamon was a part of the Mayo set-ups which fell at the final hurdle in '96 and '97 but has played a major part in Doherty’s development at grassroots level.

“The last three years he’s been our manager at the club and he’s someone I’ve always looked up to within the club, playing for Ireland and with the county for so long – he’s been an inspirational figure. He’s been there and done that. It’s the same way with Liam O’Malley and Conor Moran and all the lads who played county. You look up to them and try and match what they’ve done.”

Mayo and Roscommon meet in the Connacht Final in Hyde Park on Sunday at 2pm. Click here for the Mayo team and here for the Roscommon XV.