Malachy O'Rourke: Glen boss says he was 'flattered' to be linked with Derry job

Malachy O'Rourke (right) was considered to be the leading candidate for the Derry job after Ciaran Meenagh's departure but the Oak Leaf County then dramatically appointed former Tyrone boss Mickey Harte

Malachy O'Rourke was "flattered" to be linked with the Derry football job although he has not confirmed that he held talks with the county prior to Mickey Harte's shock appointment.

O'Rourke was considered to be the leading candidate for the job before Derry's dramatic move to appoint Harte.

"It is a privilege to be asked, to be considered for these jobs," he said.

"You always have to consider them very careful and see what suits at a particular time."

O'Rourke was speaking to BBC Sport Northern Ireland at the launch of this year's Ulster Club Football Championship in Armagh on Monday night.

The Fermanagh man's Glen side will be defending their provincial title this season after winning a third successive Derry championship by beating Magherafelt 1-13 to 0-7 on Sunday.

O'Rourke says his commitment to the Maghera club remains total and that that's the reason he has resisted overtures from counties.

"The only thing in my mind was the Glens lads because the club have put so much effort into it," he added.

"The boys have given so much commitment and it was that case, that at this stage to leave them, it would just be a feeling that you wouldn't be giving them a chance to reach their full potential.

"That was the reason for it. We are obviously delighted to be able to do that and retain the title and get the three in a row. That's all my focus is."

But while he remains fully committed to Glen, O'Rourke didn't rule out the possibility of returning to inter-county management.

He managed his native Fermanagh between 2007 and 2010 and guided Monaghan to two Ulster titles during his subsequent seven-year stint with the Farney County.

"In the future, whatever the future holds, if I was lucky enough to be asked for another job, you would consider it but at this stage, I'm happy where I am in Glen and we've plenty on our plate."

The defending Ulster champions will face Antrim champions Cargin in the provincial quarter-finals at Celtic Park on 12 November.