After leaving Carrick National School, Doherty attended the local Vocational School. During his time in Carrick Vocational School he played on the schools senior team who were the first school in the county to win the Ulster Schools Markey Cup. Five years later, at the age of 22, he captained his local Naomh Columba Senior Team to their second county title in 1990. In November 2008, following the resignation of the previous manager
Brian McIver, Doherty was confirmed as the new Donegal senior manager. Doherty resigned in 2010;
Jim McGuinness replaced him one month later. He previously managed his club Naomh Columba, Naomh Mhura to a
Donegal Junior Football Championship and the Donegal under-21 team. ==Honours==