Brian Dooher
Encyclopedia
Brian Dooher is an Irish
Gaelic football
er who was a member for Tyrone
between 1995 and 2011.
He has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
medals, five Ulster Senior Football Championship
and two National League
titles with the county. He has also won three All Star Awards
, and six Ulster All-Stars - the joint leader with Kieran McGeeney and Stephen McDonnell
.
Dooher plays his club football for Clann na nGael
.
Dooher is renowned for his hardworking playing style, often doing the gritty, unfashionable work, like picking up the ball in defence, to feed the forward players. He is also an accurate point scorer. Although he usually starts in the half-forward line, his roaming nature means he is rarely ever stationed there for very long. His contributions to the game do not go unnoticed by his team-mates, as Sean Cavanagh
remarked in 2003 how "I wouldn't be able to [play to my strengths] without Brian's workrate." In the same article, the Irish Examiner
said, "it would be no exaggeration to call him the hardest working footballer in Ireland."
. He later attended UCD
in Dublin. He is a practicing vet in Derry.
in 1995 against Kildare
. In 1996
, his first full year as a Senior, Dooher helped Tyrone win the Ulster Senior Football Championship
. Tyrone then advanced to play Meath
in the All-Ireland semi-final, but were defeated. Dooher was one of several Tyrone players, along with Ciaran McBride, Jody Gormley
, Chris Lawn
and Peter Canavan
who suffered injuries at the hands of what many Tyrone fans perceived as heavy-handed tactics by Meath. Meath defender, Martin O'Connell
stood on Dooher's head while he had been felled. During the half-time interval, Dooher had to receive staples in his head, and played the rest of the game heavily bandaged. Despite this, he won the Ulster GAA Writers Player of the Year Award, at the age of just 20.
In 2001 Tyrone won the Ulster Championship, with victory over Cavan
in the final. In 2002
Dooher helped Tyrone win the county's first ever National League title, beating Cavan in the final.
2003
proved to Tyrone' most successful year ever. The year began with Tyrone defending their National League crown, seeing off Laois
in the decider. They won the Ulster Championship beating Down
in the final, after a replay. RTÉ
pundit and former player Colm O'Rourke
claimed that year Dooher was one of the weak links in the Tyrone team, and that he would "eat his hat" if Tyrone won the All-Ireland with Dooher in the team. Dooher's response was modest, stating that O'Rourke was entitled to his opinion, but that he only cares what the Tyrone manager Mickey Harte
thinks. Tyrone did go on to win the All-Ireland (the county's first ever), and Dooher was included in the starting lineup throughout the season. Dooher received an All-Star award
for his performances that year.
Following the untimely death of Tyrone captain Cormac McAnallen
in 2004
, Dooher was handed the Tyrone captaincy. The following year
Tyrone won the All-Ireland for a second time, this time with Dooher as captain. As Dooher was making his acceptance speech after lifting the Sam Maguire Cup
, he made an emotional eulogy to McAnallen, remarking how he knew Cormac was with him. There was also a hugely emotional moment between Dooher and manager Mickey Harte after the final whistle. Surrounded by dozens of photojournalists, and thousands of Tyrone fans, the two men embraced in tearful remembrance of their fallen captain. Dooher was once again honoured with an All Star.
Dooher missed most of the 2006 campaign because of a shattered kneecap, but returned to Championship action with in 2007
. He helped Tyrone reach the Ulster final with a man of the match
display against Donegal
in the semi-final in which he scored 0-05. Tyrone went on to defeat Monaghan
in the Ulster decider.
Tyrone faced Kerry again in the 2008 All-Ireland
final, with Tyrone again coming out on top. Dooher became one of only a small number of men to captain two All-Ireland winning teams. This followed a season where his commanding performances spurred the team on during their more difficult encounters. In Tyrone's emphatic quarter final victory over Dublin
, Dooher was named man of the match. He received a third All Star that year.
In September 2011, Dooher retired from Inter-County football after 16 years.
with University College Dublin
in 1996.
in the International Rules Series
.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
er who was a member for Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
between 1995 and 2011.
He has won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
medals, five Ulster Senior Football Championship
Ulster Senior Football Championship
For information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
and two National League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
titles with the county. He has also won three All Star Awards
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
, and six Ulster All-Stars - the joint leader with Kieran McGeeney and Stephen McDonnell
Stephen McDonnell
-Playing career:Steven is the current right corner forward on the Armagh senior football panel. He most recent successes include his sides 2006, Ulster senior football championship winning medal for his part in Armagh's easily won victory over rivals Donegal...
.
Dooher plays his club football for Clann na nGael
Clann na nGael, Tyrone
Clann na nGael, abbreviated CnaG, is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the north of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, with its home grounds based at Aughabrack and Dunamanagh....
.
Dooher is renowned for his hardworking playing style, often doing the gritty, unfashionable work, like picking up the ball in defence, to feed the forward players. He is also an accurate point scorer. Although he usually starts in the half-forward line, his roaming nature means he is rarely ever stationed there for very long. His contributions to the game do not go unnoticed by his team-mates, as Sean Cavanagh
Sean Cavanagh
Seán Cavanagh is a four-time All Star-winning Tyrone Gaelic footballer. He has won All-Ireland championships for Tyrone at Minor level and three times at Senior level, and has captained Ireland at the International Rules Series....
remarked in 2003 how "I wouldn't be able to [play to my strengths] without Brian's workrate." In the same article, the Irish Examiner
Irish Examiner
The Irish Examiner, formerly The Cork Examiner and then The Examiner, is an Irish national daily newspaper which primarily circulates in the Munster region surrounding its base in Cork, though it is available throughout the country...
said, "it would be no exaggeration to call him the hardest working footballer in Ireland."
Personal life
Dooher is a former pupil of Loughash Primary School (co. Tyrone)and St Columb's College in Derry CityDerry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
. He later attended UCD
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
in Dublin. He is a practicing vet in Derry.
Inter-county
Dooher made his Senior debut for Tyrone in the National LeagueNational Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
in 1995 against Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
. In 1996
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 1996
-Leinster Senior Football Championship:-------------------------------------Connacht Senior Football Championship:---------------------Ulster Senior Football Championship:--------------------------------...
, his first full year as a Senior, Dooher helped Tyrone win the Ulster Senior Football Championship
Ulster Senior Football Championship
For information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
. Tyrone then advanced to play Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
in the All-Ireland semi-final, but were defeated. Dooher was one of several Tyrone players, along with Ciaran McBride, Jody Gormley
Jody Gormley
Jody Gormley is a former Gaelic footballer for Tyrone, and London. He also played a coaching role for Down following his retirement from Inter-County playing, and has held the role of Antrim football manager. Gormley can now be found managing the Longstone football club in Co...
, Chris Lawn
Chris Lawn
Chris Lawn is a former Tyrone Gaelic footballer. Along with Peter Canavan, he is one of only two Tyrone men to be on the panel for three All-Ireland Finals , although he was on the substitutes bench for the entirety of the 2003 final, and came on as a substitute in the 2005 final, for the injured...
and Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan
Peter Canavan is manager of Fermanagh and an Irish former Gaelic football player for Tyrone, and is one of the most decorated players in the game's history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six GAA All Stars Awards , four provincial titles, and two National Leagues and...
who suffered injuries at the hands of what many Tyrone fans perceived as heavy-handed tactics by Meath. Meath defender, Martin O'Connell
Martin O'Connell (footballer)
Martin O'Connell is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club St. Michael's and was a member of the Meath senior inter-county team from 1984 util 1997...
stood on Dooher's head while he had been felled. During the half-time interval, Dooher had to receive staples in his head, and played the rest of the game heavily bandaged. Despite this, he won the Ulster GAA Writers Player of the Year Award, at the age of just 20.
In 2001 Tyrone won the Ulster Championship, with victory over Cavan
Cavan GAA
The Cavan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Cavan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Cavan...
in the final. In 2002
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2002
-Munster Senior Football Championship:-----------------------------Ulster Senior Football Championship:-------------------------------------Leinster Senior Football Championship:--------------------------------...
Dooher helped Tyrone win the county's first ever National League title, beating Cavan in the final.
2003
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2003
The 2003 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was won by Tyrone in a landmark final that was the first All-Ireland final that was contested by two teams from the same province, Tyrone, and Armagh - both from Ulster....
proved to Tyrone' most successful year ever. The year began with Tyrone defending their National League crown, seeing off Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
in the decider. They won the Ulster Championship beating Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
in the final, after a replay. RTÉ
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
pundit and former player Colm O'Rourke
Colm O'Rourke
Colm O'Rourke is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland, a columnist with the Sunday Independent and a panellist on The Sunday Game on RTÉ Television....
claimed that year Dooher was one of the weak links in the Tyrone team, and that he would "eat his hat" if Tyrone won the All-Ireland with Dooher in the team. Dooher's response was modest, stating that O'Rourke was entitled to his opinion, but that he only cares what the Tyrone manager Mickey Harte
Mickey Harte
Michael "Mickey" Harte is the current manager of Tyrone Gaelic football team. He has led the team to three All-Ireland titles, three Ulster titles, one National League, and four Dr...
thinks. Tyrone did go on to win the All-Ireland (the county's first ever), and Dooher was included in the starting lineup throughout the season. Dooher received an All-Star award
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
for his performances that year.
Following the untimely death of Tyrone captain Cormac McAnallen
Cormac McAnallen
Cormac McAnallen was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for Tyrone. He won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with the county in 2003, also winning the Ulster Senior Football Championship twice and two National League titles. At underage level he won an All-Ireland Minor and two...
in 2004
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2004
-Leinster Senior Football Championship:---------------------------------------------Ulster Senior Football Championship:-------------------------------------Connacht Senior Football Championship:----------------...
, Dooher was handed the Tyrone captaincy. The following year
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2005
-Leinster Senior Football Championship:-----------------------------------------Ulster Senior Football Championship:-------------------------------------------------Connacht Senior Football Championship:--------...
Tyrone won the All-Ireland for a second time, this time with Dooher as captain. As Dooher was making his acceptance speech after lifting the Sam Maguire Cup
Sam Maguire Cup
The Sam Maguire Cup, often called The Sam , is the name of the cup that is awarded to winners of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
, he made an emotional eulogy to McAnallen, remarking how he knew Cormac was with him. There was also a hugely emotional moment between Dooher and manager Mickey Harte after the final whistle. Surrounded by dozens of photojournalists, and thousands of Tyrone fans, the two men embraced in tearful remembrance of their fallen captain. Dooher was once again honoured with an All Star.
Dooher missed most of the 2006 campaign because of a shattered kneecap, but returned to Championship action with in 2007
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2007
The 2007 Bank of Ireland All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, was a Gaelic football competition in Ireland, and was the most significant and prestigious competition in the sport held that year. It began on 13 May 2007, with the final game took place for Sunday, 16 September. Kerry were the...
. He helped Tyrone reach the Ulster final with a man of the match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
display against Donegal
Donegal GAA
The Donegal County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Donegal GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Donegal. The county board is also responsible for the Donegal inter-county teams.Gaelic football is strongest in the...
in the semi-final in which he scored 0-05. Tyrone went on to defeat Monaghan
Monaghan GAA
The Monaghan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Monaghan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Monaghan and the Monaghan inter-county football and hurling teams. Separate county boards are responsible for the...
in the Ulster decider.
Tyrone faced Kerry again in the 2008 All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2008
The 2008 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was that year's Gaelic football championship, having kicked off on May 11 and ended with the All-Ireland Final in Croke Park on September 21...
final, with Tyrone again coming out on top. Dooher became one of only a small number of men to captain two All-Ireland winning teams. This followed a season where his commanding performances spurred the team on during their more difficult encounters. In Tyrone's emphatic quarter final victory over Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
, Dooher was named man of the match. He received a third All Star that year.
In September 2011, Dooher retired from Inter-County football after 16 years.
School / college
Dooher won the Sigerson CupSigerson Cup
The Sigerson Cup is the top division of Higher Education Gaelic football in Ireland, It is administrated by the Higher Education committee which is part of the Gaelic Athletic Association...
with University College Dublin
UCD GAA
UCD GAA or University College Dublin Gaelic Athletic Association club is a Dublin based Gaelic games club in University College Dublin. The UCD hurling club was founded in 1900 and boasted the motto's "Ad Astra" and "Cothrom Féinne". The first team was an amalgamation of students from UCD and...
in 1996.
International Rules
Dooher has represented IrelandIreland international rules football team
The Ireland International rules football team is the representative team for Ireland in international rules football, a compromise between Gaelic football and Australian rules football...
in the International Rules Series
International Rules Series
The International Rules Series is a senior men's International rules football competition between the Australia international rules football team and the Ireland international rules football team...
.