Derry confirm Paddy Tally steps down as manager after one year in charge

ON THE WAY OUT?: Derry manager Paddy Tally is set to leave his role. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile.

Paddy Tally has brought the curtain down on his time as Derry football manager - after just one season.

The Tyrone native came in to replace Mickey Harte ahead of the 2025 season, but the Oak Leaf county failed to win a single game across League and Championship, despite running Armagh, Galway and Dublin close in the All-Ireland round-robin stage.

“I want to thank my management, backroom and medical team and most importantly the players for their commitment and dedication over the past season,” Tally said in his parting statement on Wednesday night.

“Thank you to Derry County Board and the staff in Owenbeg and Celtic Park for their hospitality and support. I wish the Derry Senior Footballers the best for the future”.

John Keenan, Derry GAA Chairperson, commented: “We are grateful to Paddy, his selectors, and the wider backroom team for the time and dedication they have given to Derry football over the 2025 season.

“We also acknowledge the sacrifices made by their families in supporting that work. We wish Paddy the very best for the future and thank him sincerely for his contribution to the county.

“An announcement on a replacement Derry senior football manager will be made in due course.” Derry join Roscommon, Mayo, Sligo, Waterford, Antrim, Cavan, Dublin, and Louth in entering the managerial hunt for the 2026 season.