Former Linfield ace Aodhan Doherty is delighted to see his fellow young Northern Irish stars impress on the biggest stages – and believes it’s a golden period for talent.

Doherty joined Blackburn Rovers in the same summer Blues team-mates Braiden Graham (Everton) and Ceadach O’Neill (Arsenal) also sealed high-profile moves across the water.

The 20-year-old watched on Tuesday evening as O’Neill earned his first start for the Premier League champions in their shock Carabao Cup loss to Fleetwood Town, where ex-Glentoran youngster Conor Haughey completed a seismic shoot-out upset with an emphatic penalty.

O’Neill is highly-rated by both Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and Northern Ireland chief Michael O’Neill with the Kilrea teenager bringing his cap tally to four by featuring in two Nations League fixtures across the recent window.

placeholder image — Northern Ireland's Ceadach O'Neill made his first competitive start for Arsenal on Tuesday night. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Doherty was introduced alongside O’Neill when the 18-year-old made his Premiership debut against Ballymena United in November 2023 and it was a similar situation one month prior in a League Cup win over Queen’s University.

He has continued to watch his former team-mate’s progress – and that of many talented young Northern Irish stars – and is excited for the future.

"I watched it and thought he did very well,” Doherty told the News Letter. “He's obviously doing well, playing first team for Northern Ireland as well, so fair play to him, he just needs to keep it up.

"He's obviously impressing Arteta in training, so he just needs to keep going. I wish him all the best.

"I played half-a-season with Ceadach for the Swifts, he has kicked on majorly since he signed for Arsenal, which is great.

"It's nice to see everyone do well from Northern Ireland, it's putting all the boys on the map and it shows how good of a country we actually are at football and we’re getting recognition.

"I was texting Conor yesterday about the penalty, I keep in contact with Braidy...we're busy, but we're all close.

"At the moment, I can't even name just one player because everyone's doing so well.

"Our senior team as well is young, so I just think it's a good environment to be in at the minute, seeing everyone perform.”

Doherty has represented Northern Ireland up to U21 level and remains determined to earn a first senior cap – he’s currently working his way back to full fitness from an injury which interrupted his loan spell to Scottish Premiership side Falkirk.

He had an opportunity to work with Michael O’Neill during his spell as Blackburn’s interim boss last season and embraced the experience.

"I was up with the first team every week,” added Doherty. “I had a few conversations with Michael and Steven Davis.

"He's a very, very good manager. He knows what he's talking about, I was trying to take as much advice from him as possible.

"It was good for him to watch me at club level as well, to see how I get on.

"It’s (playing for Northern Ireland) something that I really want to do. I want to play every game for them in the future.”

Another player who benefitted from working closely with Northern Ireland boss O’Neill in the club game is Tom Atcheson.

The 20-year-old played in Blackburn's final nine matches as they preserved Championship status and has been a mainstay in Northern Ireland’s team since, starting all four Nations League matches.

"Tom's one of my best mates,” said Doherty. “I'm buzzing for him.

"He's doing so well at the minute, but he just needs to keep going. He's always been that type of player, no matter the situation.

"He's just very composed and laid back. It's obviously helping him to get where he is now. He's got a big future.”