Paddy Tally set to leave Derry post after just one season at the helm
Paddy Tally appears to be on the brink of leaving his position as Derry senior football manager after just one season, according to reports. The Galbally native took over from fellow Tyrone man Mickey Harte last November, following Harte's own departure after only a year at the helm. Tally's appointment was the result of an extensive search by the Derry county board, with ex-manager Rory Gallagher consistently linked to the role after Tyrone quickly appointed the highly sought-after Malachy O'Rourke. Under Tally, Derry failed to win a single game, with nine defeats and two draws, but the Oak Leafers did appear to be on an upward trajectory at the end of the season. Having been relegated from Division One in the spring along with the Red Hands, Derry suffered an Ulster preliminary round defeat to Donegal and were subsequently drawn in the so-called Group of Death in the All-Ireland series. They fared well against 2024 All-Ireland champions Armagh before drawing with Galway in Celtic Park. However, a battling two-point loss to Dublin in Newry ultimately proved to be Tally's final game in charge. Although there was no suggestion that Tally was heading for the exit in the immediate aftermath of the Dublin defeat, it is understood he was keen to revamp his backroom team for 2026. That now won't be the case as Derry begin the search for what will be their third manager in as many seasons. It took them four months to appoint Tally and the sudden nature of his departure might suggest that another candidate is already lined up. Along with Gallagher, other names who were linked to the role last year were current Armagh coach and former Derry star Conleith Gilligan and his former Ballinderry teammate and Cargin boss Ronan Devlin, although the former has also been linked to the managerial vacancy in Antrim.
