Originally from County Donegal in Ireland, Doherty had played football for Partick Thistle in Scotland before emigrating to Western Australia in 1910. His reputation as a footballer came to the notice of the secretary of the ambitious Granville club in Sydney. A position was obtained for Doherty at the Clyde Engineering Works and he began playing for Granville in 1913. Doherty played fullback for the club that won the 1914 Gardiner Cup (state knockout) and Metropolitan premierships in 1914 and 1915.
He enlisted in 1915 and rose to the rank of Sergeant. While on furlough in Ireland he met his future wife Agnes whom he married Australia in 1920. After the war, Doherty played in the Granville team that won the Gardiner Cup in 1922. After his playing days were over he became a referee.
In 1929, Doherty was killed in an industrial accident at the Clyde Engineering Works. An extremely popular local personality and sportsman, a large gathering attended his funeral. The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrower’s Advocate described it as ‘one of the largest funerals in Granville’s history.’