WHILST ROBBIE KEANE will be bidding his international farewell tomorrow night, a Letterkenny physiotherapist will be working with the Republic of Ireland seniors for the first time.
Pauric Doherty from Hawthorn Heights in Letterkenny is part of the squad’s medical team for the double-header of fixtures, starting with Oman’s visit to the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, for an international friendly before Martin O’Neill’s squad travel to Serbia for their first World Cup 2018 qualifier, which takes place on Monday.
Photo caption: Padraig Doherty from Letterkenny with former Celtic, Barcelona, Manchester United and Sweden striker Henrik Larsson in 2013
Keane will win a 146th and last cap against Oman as he aims to add to his 67 goals for his country and will depart the squad having announced his international retirement before they make their way to Belgrade. No player has played for, or scored more, for the Boys in Green.
[adrotate group=”38″]Based in Clane, Co Kildare, Doherty, a chartered physiotherapist, has worked with the Irish squads at underage level since 2007. He has worked under Paul Doolin with the Under-19’s since 2011 and will be part of Under-18 manager Jim Crawford’s medical team for the Under-18’s from later this year.
Padraig Doherty and Gweedore native Shane Barr, who is a Regional Development Officer with the FAI, in Galway
Dr Alan Byrne is the Irish team doctor and Doherty will work with physiotherapists Ciaran Murray, John Flynn and Tony McCarthy, as well as Dan Horan, who looks after strength and conditioning.
[adrotate group=”37″]“I’m delighted to get the chance,” Doherty this evening told Donegal Sport Hub. “When you start out as a physio this is the sort of thing that you want to be involved in. There’s a great medical team there and it’ll be a great occasion for Robbie Keane tomorrow. I jumped at the opportunity when I was asked.”
Doherty, whose brother Eamonn plays Gaelic football with St Eunan’s and Donegal, has worked with a host of underage players from the county, including John Dunleavy, Ryan Rainey, Shaun Patton, Ciara Grant, Roisin McCafferty, Zoe Doherty, Eilish Ward, Carl McHugh, Sean McDermott, Kyle McFadden, Peter Burke and Harry Doherty.
At underage level, he has also been physiotherapist for the likes of Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick as they made their way through the ranks.
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