Matt Doherty was Ireland's match-winner in Plovdiv on Thursday night, with his first-half header enough to see out a 2-1 victory in the Nations League playoff first leg against Bulgaria.
Finn Azaz scored Ireland's equaliser after a tidy knockdown from Troy Parrott after Marin Petkov had given Bulgaria an early lead.
Doherty's goal which gave Ireland the lead saw the Wolves full-back show impressive desire and bravery to put his body on the line up against goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov - who ultimately came out worse.
The ball from Josh Cullen 😮💨
The bravery and header from Matt Doherty 💪
Another delightful goal has Ireland in front at the break ☘️pic.twitter.com/9SWJ3uolRg
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) March 20, 2025
It was a welcome goal from Doherty, whose desire has been questioned in an Ireland jersey during recent showings.
After last September's defeat to Greece, the full-back was slaughtered by pundits for his lacklustre attempts to track back in injury-time.
He subsequently found himself out of the squad for October's games, with Heimir Hallgrímsson suggesting he was beginning the process of blooding a long-term replacement for Doherty and Séamus Coleman at right-back.
Doherty then drew ire from Ireland fans by suggesting he should be in the Ireland squad regardless of his form. Though he was initially left out of the squad once again by Hallgrímsson in November, he eventually found himself playing in both of the final two Nations League games against Finland and England.
After Thursday night's game, it appears a new fire has been ignited in Doherty to prove the new head coach wrong, with his desire in Plovdiv a welcome change from recent games.
Post-match, Doherty admitted he and Hallgrímsson had gotten off to a "rocky" start - but that he only wanted to give his best for his country.
READ HERE: Brian Kerr Nails Why Best Could Yet Come From Ireland After Bulgaria Win
READ HERE: Hallgrímsson Identifies Key Area Ireland Must Improve In For Bulgaria Second Leg
Matt Doherty opens up on relationship with Heimir Hallgrímsson after winner v Bulgaria
Speaking to RTÉ after full-time at the Stadion Hristo Botev, Matt Doherty opened up on the nature of his relationship with Heimir Hallgrímsson.
Matt Doherty says he doesn't feel disrespected by manager Heimir Hallgrímsson anymore after he admits they 'got off to a little bit of a rocky start'.
FT: 🇧🇬 1-2 🇮🇪
📱 Recap - https://t.co/zKFxHhUv4i
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📻 Listen @GameOn2fm#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/tSJbuOGAsl— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 20, 2025
Tony O'Donoghue pointed out that the pair appeared to have been in good spirits together post-match. Though Doherty admitted their relationship had gotten off to a "rocky" start, he said things had dramatically improved in the intervening months.
Look, at the moment, things are all good. We've a good relationship.
Obviously, we got off to a bit of a rocky start at the start of the relationship but everything seems fine now.
We're both calm and enjoying each other's company.
Thursday was one of Doherty's best performances in an Ireland shirt for some time, and Hallgrímsson was largely pleased with the performance from the team as a whole.
Doherty shared his head coach's post-match frustration that Ireland had not been more ruthless in the second half but, nonetheless, acknowledged that getting to half-time in the tie ahead was a big plus.
"I think belief wasn't a problem," Doherty mused, "I guess just proving that you can go away and win...that's what we did.
"We know it's only halfway through, there's still a lot of work to do. A little bit disappointed it only finished 2-1, we wanted to push and put the game to bed. When you finish 2-1 like that, it gives them a bit of hope towards the end with that long ball and stuff like that.
"Look, we're a bit disappointed in the second half but happy to win, obviously."
SEE ALSO: Player Ratings As Two Stars Shine In Crucial Gritty Win In Bulgaria
