Ben Doherty returns to Derry City on a three-year deal

Ben Doherty feels the Derry City fans will see a differently player entirely after returning to his hometown club after four and a half years away.

The 25-year-old has signed a three year deal as part of a deal which sees both Michael Glynn and Joe Thomson going in the opposite direction to Larne.

Doherty, who has played 59 times already for Derry City between 2016-2018, left the Brandywell to join Glenavon on loan in August 2018, before making a permanent move to Coleraine in December of the same year. He remained at the Showgrounds until July 2021 before joining Larne, and has played his part in Tiernan Lynch’s side title push this season.

But given the opportunity to return to his hometown club, Doherty couldn’t say no.

“Probably in my head I thought I would come back some day but I didn’t think it would be so soon,” he said. “Looking in as a Derry boy, when your hometown club comes calling it’s hard to ignore. The project as a whole, excites me and the changing room that Ruaidhri has built, and obviously Ruaidhri himself, it’s all appealing to me and something that I want to give my all to.”

A teenage Doherty played in some big games for the club in his first spell, including the Europa League, and he believes that experience helped him prepare for similar experiences in the Irish League.

“When I left here I was a 17 or 18 year old boy and I’ve gone and I’ve gained experience,” he explained. “I’m thankful for those experiences when I was here the first time because they probably molded me. I went and played European games after that for Coleraine and Larne and it’s only stood me in good stead. All those experiences I can take with me and bring back to the League of Ireland and hopefully give it a good go this time.

“I’ve learned a lot of different roles on the pitch and different positions and I’ve really developed as a player so I think the fans will see something different from me coming back.

“I’m just looking forward to getting out there on the pitch now and February 10 can’t come quickly enough.”