Doherty Departs

COLERAINE FC can confirm that Ben Doherty has joined Larne for an undisclosed fee…

The midfielder ends a two-and-a-half year stay at The Showgrounds after agreeing a switch to Larne.

Doherty joined the club in January 2019 and made 86 appearances, scoring 37 goals – including memorable strikes in Europe against Motherwell, NK Maribor and FK Velez Mostar.

The ex-Derry City ace also scored in every round of the Bannsiders’ League Cup triumph in 2020 before being cruelly ruled out of the final through injury.

Coleraine boss Oran Kearney insists Doherty’s ambition to play full-time football was the major factor of the deal.

“We can compete with every club on the pitch, but sadly full-time football is not an option for us at the moment,” he said.

“So when full-time clubs approach our players it becomes a dilemma especially if the player has aspirations to be full-time with the lifestyle that it presents.

“Once it became apparent that Ben was keen on the opportunity we have to do what’s best for the club.

“After several days of intense negotiations, an agreement was struck and Ben was given permission to speak with Larne last night, a deal that also involved Conor McKendry coming to Coleraine.

“In my two years working with Ben, he has been a great lad, a top pro and a pleasure to manage. He will be fondly remembered for that winning penalty in Maribor and we wish him well for the future.”