Derry football: Paddy Tally appointment set to end Oak Leafer’s four-month search
The Galbally native was part of James McCartan’s backroom team when Down was named in the 2010 All-Ireland squad, before working in Brian McIver’s Derry management team After a while.
After a spell as Galway coach, Tully was Down’s head coach from 2019 to 2021 before taking over the Kerry role following O’Connor’s return to the Kingdom.
In September, Tully recommitted his job to Kerry until 2025 but in a new performance coaching role, with Cian O’Neill appointed as head coach of O’Connor’s management team.
Derry is believed to have made several overtures to Tully in recent months and it now appears he has been persuaded to take the job.
The Oak Leafs are the only county not to have appointed a head coach for next season ahead of the official return to inter-county training en masse on December 7.
Former coach Hart resigned as Derry coach in early July after being eliminated by Kerry after coaching Derry County in the quarter-finals.
Hart was a shock hire 14 months ago after leading the Oak Leafs to the National Football League Division I title only to endure a tough title run.
