Nov 14,2024
Kerry coach Paddy Tally looks set to succeed his fellow Tyrone man Mickey Harte as Derry football manager.
It marks the end of a protracted saga since Harte stood down in July after just one year in charge.
Tally, a coach under Harte when the Red Hands won the All-Ireland title in 2003, has been with Kerry for the past three seasons, and his influence was cited as a key reason for Kerry's Sam Maguire triumph in 2022, their first since 2014.
His role within the Kingdom set-up was changed to performance coach in September, but he has decided to return to the inter-county hotseat for the first time since 2021 when his three-year term with Down ended after a sobering 16-point loss to Donegal.
In September, Derry ruled out former manager Rory Gallagher returning after speculation the Fermanagh native was set for a second stint in charge.
Tally will hope to turn around the Oak Leaf county’s fortunes after Harte’s sole year in charge ended in disappointment following a bright start.
After successive All-Ireland semi-final defeats, it was hoped that Harte’s experience could be the missing ingredient.
Early silverware in the form of the McKenna Cup and a thrilling Allianz Football League final victory over Dublin raised expectations of Sam Maguire success, but their season went south quickly following heavy losses to Donegal, Galway and Armagh.
A nervy win over Westmeath and a penalty shootout victory over Mayo revived their hopes, but the season petered out with a five-point quarter-final defeat to Kerry.
Derry will open their 2025 provincial campaign with a preliminary round clash with Donegal, while his first competitive game with be a league opener away to his native Tyrone on the final weekend of January.
