Looking back now, Jason Doherty doesn't know how he managed to play for Mayo while living in Dublin.
Doherty announced his retirement from inter-county football over the weekend, 12 years after making his Mayo senior debut.
"That was definitely something that, looking back, you just did it and got on with it," Doherty, who lived in Dublin between 2012 and 2020, told RTÉ Radio 1.
"There was a big group of us. It changed over the years. Initially, at the start of the year, there was such numbers in Dublin that we were able to have almost a session midweek and we'd only be going down [to Mayo] on the Friday and the Sunday. Whereas when the years went on, and especially since Covid, the Dublin sessions disappeared.
"We had a great group. Some of my fondest memories are the minibus down from Dublin solving world problems with Chris Barrett and Tom Parsons. I wouldn't change it for the world.
"Being based in Dublin... If you take the Tuesday night, you're not back until 1am and you're seeing... in that case, my wife at all. The Friday evening you're gone down and because it's such a commute, you're staying down Friday and Saturday in your home house. Then you're back up Sunday evening and you're a whirlwind trying to get ready for the following week."
26 March 2023; Jason Doherty of Mayo has a shot on goal during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Mayo and Monaghan at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar, Mayo. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
In his retirement statement, Doherty said what he'll miss most is being able to look his Mayo teammates in the eye knowing his had their respect.
"Where else would you get it in life, to get 36 guys on the exact same wavelength going towards the exact same goal, pushing themselves to the limit of their abilities mentally and physically," he elaborated.
"In some instances, maybe, you get it professionally at work. It stood to me on the pitch but also there were so many learnings outside the pitch. That's what meant the most to me, trying to prove myself as a worthy teammate.
"I always remember a session in Dublin. Tony McEntee was taking it up in the Phoenix Park and there was only about eight of us training at the start the year. I remember doing a tackling drill and Chris Barrett grabbing me and saying 'You're not moving enough with the ball'.
"At that time I said 'Never again will he or anyone else say that'. It meant so much, not a manager or selector saying it to you. That was one of the big things about our group. We had people with high standards and high ambitions. It was a pleasure to be involved with it."
29 May 2011; Jason Doherty, Mayo, in action against John Scanlon, London. Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship, Quarter-Final, London v Mayo, Emerald Park, Ruislip, London, England. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
Doherty's last game for Mayo was in this year's All-Ireland quarter-final against Dublin. He had considered retiring last year but incoming manager Kevin McStay convinced him to stay on.
"Then I met Kevin McStay, and he wanted me onboard and that played a big part," said Doherty.
"I remember chatting to some ex-players on Robbie Hennelly's stag down in Dingle. Looking back, their advice was to 'go as long as you possibly can'. I still had some questions internally where I didn't want it to end on a 'sympathy note' with all the injuries.
"I knew there was another chance and another challenge to prove myself to a new management team. I always liked the challenge.
"I'm definitely at peace with now in terms of this year. I really, really enjoyed the whole year with the new management and the group. The reality is that the body isn't as quick to do what the minds wants it to do anymore."
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