Derry: 100 days on from Mickey Harte

Derry are now 100 days without a manager following Mickey Harte’s departure from the role in July.

The lack of news around the next appointment from the county board continues to worry sections of the county’s supporters.

A wide range of names have been mentioned since the position became vacant; however, many have denied any interest in the role. 

The latest was All Ireland winner Karl Lacey, with the Donegal man wishing to continue with his role with Down club Kilcoo.

The four-time All Star ruled out any notion of joining the Oak Leaf County after he guided the 2022 All Ireland club champions to their sixth Down Senior Football Championship this season.

James Horan, Damian McErlain, and Ciaran Meenagh all ruled themselves out of the role, with two of them being former Derry managers.

Meanwhile, current Glen manager, Malachy O’Rourke, who many tipped to be the favourite for the role, has recently been appointed the next Tyrone inter-county manager once this season concludes with the current All-Ireland club champions as they fight for a fourth Derry Senior Football Championship in a row, a third consecutive Ulster Football Championship, and a second consecutive All Ireland.

One name that the county has denied any possibility of being appointed is former manager Rory Gallagher.

There were many loud whispers about the return of Gallagher as manager of the county, who had resigned from the role the week of the 2023 Ulster final after his estranged wife Nicola made allegations of domestic abuse against him in May 2023.

His solicitor, Darragh Mackin, of Phoenix Law, said in September that Gallagher fully intends to return to inter-county management soon.

However, the day following this announcement, the county board announced it had no intention of re-appointing the former Donegal and Fermanagh manager.

Speculation still remains around the potential appointment of Slaughtneil’s current manager, Mark Doran.

The County Down man made his side a formidable opponent, with many seeing them as the favourites for the Derry SFC, until their narrow defeat to Glen in the semi-final.

Word has gone quiet on the links between Derry and Doran. 

However, Derry will hope to discover the perfect replacement for Harte sooner rather than later as they prepare to retain their National League title, reclaim their Ulster Championship crown after Donegal removed it last season, and hunt down an elusive second All-Ireland title, after their first in 1993.

Derry fans will hope that the search does not last much longer than this initial 100 days and pray they don’t face the same embarrassment of being told whoever is appointed was the board's first choice, like a certain national sporting organisation that took eight months on their managerial search.