obituary
Hugh Doherty 1921 2014
October also saw the passing of Hugh Doherty st the venerable age of 93, Celtic’s oldest ex-player before his death. Hugh ‘Dickie’ Doherty was spotted at Dundalk by Tommy Bogan and gave Celtic his signature as an amateur. He displaced Bobby Evans at outside-right, sustained a cut temple on his debut but played on with the blood pouring down his face. The wound took five stitches and he turned out against Queens Park the following Saturday in a scrum cap.
He played for Celtic (Division A) in the Scottish Cup against Dundee at Dens Park (Division B) on January 25th 1947. Celtic were a goal down when Hugh received the ball in the penalty area on half-time but hit a traundler into the arms of the astonished Rueben Bennett. Throughout the interval, “Doherty’s miss was talk of the town.” Despite the club’s attempts to persuade him to accept money, Hugh remained obdurate for better terms and went home to Buncrana in May 1947.
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With Blackpool he consented to turn professional but his prospects as a right-winger were not great; the Seasiders had just signed another outside-right, the legendary Stanley Matthews. Injuries forced Hugh’s retirement from the game during a later spell with Raith Rovers. During his time at Celtic Park he made four appearances in the Hoops. Rest in Peace Hugh.