Harte joins Offaly as joint-manager

Harte left his role as Derry boss after just one season in July

Mickey Harte has made a swift return to inter-county management after being appointed the joint-manager of the Offaly senior footballers.

Offaly have confirmed that the former Tyrone and Louth manager, who ended his reign as Derry boss after one season last month, will join Declan Kelly as joint-manager for a three-year period.

Harte led his native Tyrone to three All-Ireland titles and six Ulster Championships during an 18-year spell before leaving in 2020.

He then joined Louth and guided the Leinster side to back-to-back league promotions before leaving to take over as Derry boss in a surprise move in September 2023.

Derry were considered All-Ireland contenders this year, and while Harte led the Oak Leafers to a Division One title, he stepped down after a disappointing championship campaign that ended with an All-Ireland quarter-final defeat by Kerry on 10 July.

"I am very aware of the history and tradition of Offaly football and believe that there is huge potential within the county," said Harte.

"I am very excited to work with Declan and the players to get the best out of the footballers in both the League and Championship in 2025.

"I would like to thank [Offaly GAA chairperson] Michael Duignan for his professionalism and honesty during our meetings."

'His wealth of experience is what Offaly needs'

Having overseen Louth's rise to Division Two, Harte will hope to have a similar impact at Offaly, who were relegated from Division Two in 2022 and needed to win two of their last three games this season to avoid a drop to the fourth tier.

In the Leinster Championship, they beat Laois in the quarter-finals before suffering a comprehensive 3-22 to 0-11 loss to Dublin in the semi-finals and lost all three of their games in the second-tier Tailteann Cup.

"This is great news for Offaly football and Offaly GAA in general," said Kelly.

"I look forward to working closely with Mickey. He has had huge success over the years and we hope to emulate that in the not-too-distant future."

Offaly have won three All-Ireland titles, in 1971, 1972 and 1982. Their last National Football League title came in 1998, the same year as their most recent Leinster title.

Speaking of the move, Duignan said he was "delighted" to secure Harte's services.

"His genuine interest in Offaly GAA and his wealth of experience is what I feel Offaly football needs right now," said Duignan.

"On behalf of the Offaly County Board, I want to welcome Mickey to the county and I hope all Offaly GAA gaels will come out and show their support to Declan, Mickey and the footballers for the coming year."