By Cian O’Connell

Jason Doherty pauses when the question is asked. More than a decade spent on the inter-county beat with Mayo brought medals and memories.

Does any moment or particular adventure stand out? Doherty’s mind wanders back to the chaos of 2017, a catalogue of mad matches. Drama was never far away. “The one that jumps out, that gives me a lot is the 2017 season,” the Burrishoole clubman explains.

“From a personal perspective I had a good year, I really enjoyed it. The semi-final against Kerry, I remember coming in after that win. I just remember the feeling of satisfaction in the dressing room afterwards.”

A black card to Cillian O’Connor meant Doherty had to assume free taking duties. That was only one part of the story, Doherty was an instrumental figure at Croke Park. A Championship victory over one of the bluebloods of the sport is cherished. “Cillian had got black carded, stepping up to take the frees and 45,” Doherty recalls.

“I just got on with it and backed up Cillian, who was probably disappointed to be black carded and worried would that effect the result. Just to step in to deliver, to back him up to get us over the line.

“That, for me, is one of the big things I look back on. It gave me huge satisfaction, it is what I always wanted to do. Any day I was given the opportunity to start or come on, it was just do my job for the team.”

Doherty invariably produced for Mayo. Versatile and honest, a willingness to assist others mattered deeply. “I maybe touched on it in the statement, it is always probably about doing your job for your team mate for me, that type of thing,” Doherty says.

“Having that respect and satisfaction after a day where you are playing a really top team. You've spent a couple of weeks or the week of the game building up studying them, doing all of your various mental preparation, visualisation, and tactics, then going out to deliver.”

Initially it started in a blaze of goals and glory for Doherty in the 2011 Allianz Football League. Having flared to prominence in the Sigerson Cup, Doherty quickly made an impact for the green and red flagship outfit.

Throughout the years, though, Doherty adapted. At various stages Doherty carried out different functions and roles for Mayo. “I think the game has evolved massively,” Doherty says.

“Even to think we have gone from the day when the foam roller came in as the be all and end all of. Now it is forgotten again. When I started it is almost the more, the better, now really since Covid it is almost less is more from a preparation point of view.

“Even on my own role in terms of game development, I came in during 2011, I racked up a few goals in the league.

“Nowadays for any one person, it would be impossible for me and a lot of guys to be racking up six or seven goals in a league campaign, just because of the difference in systems, the strength and conditioning of players which seems to keep evolving.”

Being able to adapt is critical to Doherty. “It is getting harder and harder, you have to earn every score you get,” Doherty adds.

“I think the game has changed massively. On my own roles, I never really thought too much, I've been asked to do that, so okay, fine. If you're trusting to play me and do that job, I will go off to do that to the best of my ability.

“I will go all in on trying to do that to the best as I can. I didn't really ask questions or say I only want to be an inside forward, be racking up the scores, and don't want to do anything else, it was always just about trying to do whatever gets me on the pitch, and helps us to win games.”

Considering the breadth of Doherty’s service is monitoring matches constantly part of his approach? “I actually wouldn't be a major student, I'm not sitting down at the weekend waiting for club games to watch them,” he replies.

“Even in mid Championship if we have a weekend off and other games are on, I probably designing my weekend or Sunday to watch the games, to analyse them.

“What I will do is I'll make sure I analyse them over the video analysis system on a Monday. I will set aside time where I have certain things to look at - whether it is a potential opponent, a potential defensive system, attacking system or kickouts.

“I will review it as a separate exercise, but I wouldn't describe myself as a major student. I would still be heavily prepared.”

There is a sense of satisfaction to have represented Mayo throughout a spell when they were serious Sam Maguire Cup contenders. “Of course, I've been so privileged to be involved with a group that since the year I came in really, even though we didn't know it, we have been in with a shout or been challengers for All-Ireland titles in that whole time frame,” Doherty acknowledges.

“I've said it a few times, you are coming back in November or December knowing that if we get our stuff together that we have a good chance of winning silverware.

“That is obviously a hugely privileged and enjoyable position to be in going back every year. Approaching it from that perspective, it has been an enjoyable ride.”

Recently there has been a rare opportunity to reflect and reminisce. “It has been a bit of a whirlwind of a week in that it probably took me by surprise with the amount of messages that have come in, the well wishes,” Doherty remarks.

“It makes you reflect a bit, stuff you don't really do or give yourself a chance to do when you're in the bubble of it. You are conscious about not patting yourself on the back too much, the week maybe allowed me to reflect a bit more, to be grateful for the various messages I was getting.

“One thing is the messages have been very nice, very thoughtful messages, but on the flip side it probably emphasised to me that I haven't had any second thoughts or regrets. That maybe emphasises that I've made the right decision for me personally.”

Is it strange to switch into reflection mode? “It is never too hard to read or look at messages where people are praising you,” he laughs.

“It definitely hasn't been difficult, it probably has been more gratifying, almost an enjoyable experience to realise that actually what I wanted to leave behind me or what I was trying to do when I was there, I maybe did do a decent chunk of it. It left a good taste and gained a lot of respect with current and past team mates and supporters.”

The coming months and years offers new possibilities. The fortunes of the Mayo senior footballers will always be followed by Doherty, who is eager to enjoy family time and representing Burrishoole.

A defeat in the first round of the Mayo Intermediate Championship was a setback, but Burrishoole will be hoping to summon a gutsy reply.

“It is definitely something I'm looking forward to because my wife and family probably had to sacrifice a fair bit of social time at various different events when you can't go or leave early or not fully commit to,” he says.

“It can be all last minute. Now I suppose it does free up a bit, I'm looking forward to the Club Championship, just seeing what it brings. We are in the thick of it already and I'm looking forward to trying to leave a mark on that.”

Doherty’s rich contribution for Mayo won’t be forgotten.