Derry job contender Doran takes Roscommon role

Mark Doran took charge of Slaughtneil in 2023 after co-managing Ballybay to the 2022 Monaghan Football title

Mark Doran's prospects of becoming the next Derry football manager appear over after he was appointed as Roscommon's senior coach.

Slaughtneil club boss Doran emerged as the favourite to succeed Mickey Harte in recent weeks after the county ruled out any prospect of Rory Gallagher returning to the Oak Leaf job.

Former Donegal star Karl Lacey, who managed Kilcoo to another Down Football title last weekend, was linked with the Derry vacancy a week ago but dismissed any prospect of him being appointed to the position following the Mourne County final.

Down native Doran will join the management team of Roscommon boss Davy Burke.

The Rossies were relegated from Division One of the Allianz Football League this year but regrouped to reach the All-Ireland Football quarter-finals, where they were beaten by eventual champions Armagh.

Doran has previously been part of the management set-up in his own county in addition to taking roles with Clare and Wicklow.

The Down man was co-manager of the Ballybay side which won the Monaghan Football title in 2022.

He was then appointed as manager of former Ulster Champions and beaten All-Ireland Finalists Slaughtneil but the Emmets have been unable to break the stranglehold of parish neighbours Glen in the Derry SFC over the past two seasons.

Slaughtneil were fancied to end Glen's Derry reign at the semi-finals stage last weekend but the Watty Grahams outfit clinched a 1-9 to 0-9 win to set up a final meeting with Newbridge on 27 October.

Derry and Leitrim are the only counties yet to appoint a manager for the coming season.