Sport

'Getting rid of ‘The Ban’ was the best thing the GAA ever did': Paddy Doherty

In 1958 Down began a run of success that saw them reach 12 Ulster finals in succession, win seven of them and add three All-Irelands. Central to that success was Paddy Doherty, but just a year before he wasn’t allowed to play Gaelic football, a victim of an infamous GAA rule. He recalled his experience of ‘foreign sports’ and ‘The Ban’ with Neil Loughran...

Paddy Doherty went on to achieve legendary status with Down, playing a major part in all three All-Ireland successes during the 1960s. Picture by Sportsfile
Paddy Doherty went on to achieve legendary status with Down, playing a major part in all three All-Ireland successes during the 1960s. Picture by Sportsfile