Dublin’s 1974 All-Ireland-winning football captain Seán Doherty has died at the age of 78

Dublin's 1974 All-Ireland-winning football captain Seán Doherty has sadly passed away after a short illness at the age of 78.

He is the fourth member of the capital's team of the 1970s that helped to reshape Gaelic football to have died in recent years, following the deaths of Anton O'Toole, Brian Mullins and Paddy Cullen.

Doherty was a full-back on the team that contested five successive All-Ireland finals between 1974 and 1978.

He lost his place during the 1979 championship and then retired from inter-county football in the early 1980s.

Doherty, who first joined the Dublin squad in 1969, was renowned for his strength and fearlessness as a defender and was entrusted with the captaincy when Kevin Heffernan returned to manage Dublin in late 1973.

Heffernan liked his directness and robust nature, exemplified by his challenge in the 1975 All-Ireland final on Mickey Ned O'Sullivan as the Kerry captain went on a mazy run.

Mickey Ned O'Sullivan and Seán Doherty with the Sam Maguire.

O'Sullivan was taken off, such was the force of the collision, brought to hospital and was not able to collect the Sam Maguire Cup after the game, an honour that went to Pat Spillane instead.

Doherty's catch towards the end of that epic 1977 All-Ireland semi-final is one of the most memorable moments of that era.

The 'Doc', as he was affectionately known, also captained Dublin in that 1975 All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry but was replaced in the role by Tony Hanahoe the following season.

He was a three-time All-Ireland winner, won six Leinster titles and was the All-Star full-back in 1974.

Doherty spent his early years in Glenealy, Wicklow and played for the county's U-21 team at one stage.

Glenealy native Seán Doherty captained Dublin to All-Ireland glory in 1974. Photo: Sportsfile

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But his family moved to Ballsbridge and Doherty eventually settled in south Dublin were he played his club football with Ballyboden Wanderers first and then Ballyboden St Enda's.

The 1974 Dublin team (back l-r) Stephen Rooney, Anton O'Toole, Robbie Kelleher, Jimmy Keaveney, Tony Hanahoe, Paddy Cullen, John McCarthy, Alan Larkin, Bobby Doyle. Front: Brian Mullins, George Wilson, Paddy Reilly, Sean Doherty, David Hickey, Gay O'Driscoll.

By occupation, Doherty was a successful plumber and publican who ran a bar in Rockbrook at the foot of the Dublin mountains.

In April, he was an integral part of a two-day trip to Kerry where the respective teams of the '70s enjoyed a 50th anniversary celebration of their storied rivalry.

He was a successful club manager, guiding St Anne's in Dublin and Bray Emmets in Wicklow to county finals.

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