Ben Doherty

Ben Doherty (born 24 March 1997) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a left back for NIFL Premiership club Coleraine. He previously played for Institute, Derry City, Glenavon and Larne.

Career Institute A native of Derry, Doherty played in the academy of Institute, before making his debut in a 3–2 loss at home to Cliftonville on 16 August 2014. He went on to make a total of 13 appearances for the side in all competitions before departing the club in January 2015.

Derry City Doherty joined League of Ireland club Derry City's under 19 side in 2015, remaining there for 2 seasons before being called up to the first team by manager Kenny Shiels. He made his debut on 27 August 2016 in a 2–2 draw away to Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds. Doherty scored the first goal of his senior career on 30 August 2017 in a 3–0 win over Limerick at Maginn Park. He made the first European appearances of his career in July 2017 when Derry faced Danish side Midtjylland.

Glenavon loan On 17 August 2018, Doherty was loaned out to NIFL Premiership club Glenavon until January 2019. He scored 1 goal in 20 appearances in all competitions during his loan spell. In later years, he described leaving Derry for Coleraine as the hardest decision of his career. He scored his first goal for the club on 18 January 2019, opening the scoring in a 2–1 win away to Ards. Doherty scored 5 goals in 3 appearances in the club's run to winning the 2019–20 Northern Ireland Football League Cup, but missed out on the final as his side defeated Crusaders 2–1 at Windsor Park. He finished the 2019–20 season with 14 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions, his best goalscoring return to date. On 8 July 2021, Doherty made his final appearance for the club, scoring his side's goal in a 2–1 loss away to Velež Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Larne Doherty signed for NIFL Premiership club Larne on 27 July 2021, on a 3 year contract, with Conor McKendy signing for Coleraine as part of the deal. On 11 January 2022, Doherty started the final of the 2021–22 County Antrim Shield as his side defeated Linfield 1–0 at Seaview.

Return to Derry City On 6 January 2023, Doherty returned to League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City on a 3 year contract. He made his returning debut on 10 February 2023, in the 2023 President of Ireland's Cup as his side defeated Shamrock Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. He made 43 appearances in all competitions during his first season with the club, scoring 5 goals as he helped them to secure UEFA Conference League football again for the following season. At the end of the 2023 season, he was named in the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year by his fellow professionals. On 11 October 2024, Doherty suffered a hamstring injury in a 1–1 draw with Bohemians which required surgery that ended his season and resulted in missing the 2024 FAI Cup final which his side lost 2–0 to Drogheda United at the Aviva Stadium. On 16 June 2026, the club confirmed that Doherty would be departing, having scoring 6 goals in 98 appearances in all competitions in his second spell with them.

Return to Coleraine On 16 June 2026, Doherty returned to his former club Coleraine on a two-year-contract.

International career Doherty received his first call up to the Northern Ireland U21 squad in August 2017 ahead of their game with Albania U21 in which he made his debut in a 1–0 win. He made a total of 4 appearances for the side.

Honours Club Coleraine Northern Ireland Football League Cup (1): 2019–20

Larne County Antrim Shield (1): 2021–22

Derry City President of Ireland's Cup (1): 2023

Individual PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year (1): 2023