Latest news with #Meenagh
The 42
a day ago
- Sport
- The 42
Ciaran Meenagh set to become the next Derry manager
DERRY COUNTY BOARD are set to appoint Ciaran Meenagh as their new senior football manager in the coming days. Meenagh had previously taken charge of Derry in the 2023 season after then-manager Rory Gallagher had to 'step back' from managing the team after allegations of domestic abuse. The Police Service of Northern Ireland investigated the allegations against Gallagher, and forwarded two files to Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS), but no charges were brought. Gallagher continues to 'firmly and steadfastly' deny the allegations. Under Meenagh, Derry beat Armagh in the 2023 Ulster final by way of a penalty shootout. They then went on to top their group stages by drawing with Monaghan before beating Donegal and Clare. They beat Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-final before going down to Kerry on a 1-17 to 1-15 scoreline in a breathtaking semi-final. Meenagh, a teacher in St Colm's in Draperstown, then left Derry and took up a role as Down selector in Conor Laverty's backroom team for the last two seasons. However, following Paddy Tally's departure from the post, the Loughmacrory man is set to take on his first permanent role as manager. He will become Derry's third consecutive manager from Tyrone following Tally and Mickey Harte. Advertisement It is strongly suspected that former Ulster-winning captain and All-Star Chrissy McKaigue will come into his management team, along with former forward Benny Heron. Meanwhile, Antrim are poised to appoint their former team selector, Paddy Bradley, as their replacement for Andy McEntee. Paddy Bradley. John McVitty / INPHO John McVitty / INPHO / INPHO McEntee had done three seasons with Antrim, who got to the 2009 Ulster final under the guidance of Paddy's father, Liam 'Baker' Bradley. Paddy Bradley has taken a number of management roles around Ulster including a successful period in charge of Dunloy footballers and his own club, Glenullin. He is believed to have assembled a backroom team of fellow Derry men Paul McFlynn (who has previously been with Antrim and was with Derry last year) and Barry Dillon, along with Paul Rouse of Tyrone, who has worked with Dillon at the University of Ulster GAA Academy. Check out the latest episode of The42′s GAA Weekly podcast here
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Meenagh-McKaigue double act in the frame for Derry position
A combination of Ciarán Meenagh and Chrissy McKaigue are in the frame to lead the Derry senior footballers in 2026. The Derry County Board are keen to act quickly after the prolonged process to replace Mickey Harte with Paddy Tally this past season. Tyrone native Meenagh, who was part of the Down senior management the past two seasons, was assistant manager to Rory Gallagher in Derry and took over the county on an interim basis in 2023, overseeing the Ulster final win over Armagh and guiding the county to an All-Ireland semi-final. That had been Loughmacrory man Meenagh's fifth consecutive season with Derry, having come on board with Damien McErlain in 2019. He has distanced himself from taking on position on a permanent basis two years ago and Harte came on board having left his role in Louth. Slaughtneil's McKaigue retired from inter-county football at the end of last season, having claimed two Ulster SFC medals as well as an All Star in 2022. The widely-respected dual player has been touted as a future manager by the likes of Oisín McConville. Both Harte and Tally last just one season following Gallagher's departure and the hope in Derry is that the next management team won't be as short-lasting.
