A case of what might have been for Derry's Paddy Tally

The search for a new inter-county football manger is underway again in Derry following the news last week that Paddy Tally will not be in the hot seat for next year.

The Tyrone man only took the role in November but it did not go to plan for the Oakleaf county as they failed to win a league or championship game. The late appointment would not have helped the cause or the growing injury list and absentees. There were signs towards the end of the championship of positivity in a very tough All-Ireland group but defeats to Armagh and Dublin and the draw with Galway saw the curtain come down on a disappointing 2025.

When you sit down and look back over the year, there are so many of what if’s, should have beens and so many close calls. With no preseason McKenna Cup it was straight into the league - new rules to learn and new tactics to try out immediately in the heat of battle.

Opening game was a trip to Healy Park to face Tyrone, also under new management with Malachy O’Rourke at the helm. The Red Hands taking the spoils with seven points to spare. Little did either side know as they left Omagh that Saturday evening where their paths were going to go - both were to be relegated.

Next up was Tally’s first home game and Kerry were the visitors to Celtic Park. Now we enter what should have been - it really should have been a Derry victory as they led by six coming down the home straight only to be rocked by three late goals to suffer defeat after a pulsating game. Had they held on for the win - would that have sent Derry a different path - a win can make such a difference to any team.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, plenty of positives as Galway came to town. However, a first half dominated by the visitors and it looked a third successive defeat. Inspired by Lachlan Murray, Derry turned in a stunning display to claw themselves back to earn a share of the spoils. A point on the board and Derry were off the mark and up and running.

Was Tally’s team now beginning to master the new rules and was it to be a turning point?

No was the answer as a heavy defeat in Croke Park the next day out and with it Derry were already looking certain for relegation. This was followed by defeats away to Donegal and Armagh and at home to Mayo. Relegation to division two - not always the end of the world but it was the fact they only had one point to show from their seven games and some heavy defeats in among those that left the concerns with the championship looming.

How was the new management going to sort out the problems and find the answers before travelling to Ballybofey to face Donegal? Injuries to key players did not help the cause but the games come thick and fast, so no time to lick any wounds or feel sorry for yourself. Having been turned over in the 2024 championship to Donegal when Derry were coming off a National Football League title success, the Oakleaf county were very much entering this one differently.

A blistering patch before the break had Donegal in control and those answers that we wondered had Derry found in the league did not look like they had. Donegal ran out 10 point winners. Derry were set for a long lay off before the group stages. The Derry Gaels wondered would the players be released for club duty to build confidence among their clubs. The answer was no, as the management began their preparations for the group games and the All-Ireland stage.

Armagh, Dublin and Galway - could it have gotten any worse for a management in their first year and a side searching for answers and some confidence. A late rally was not enough as Armagh took the win in the opening encounter. Outplayed for long periods but positives from a late rally gave encouragement heading for a crunch game with Galway who had also lost their opening game.

Tally and his players saw several wins slip through their grasp in 2025.

The only team Derry had got anything off in the league. It was looking good for Tally’s men but again the concession of goals derailed them and indeed it took a Conor Doherty point to rescue a draw in a game theta Derry will wonder how they didn’t win.

This meant a must win clash with Dublin in Newry, both sides knowing their championship hopes all lay on this one game. Derry gave it everything but fell short and their season was over. No doubt improvements were made but in the end it was not enough for Paddy Tally and his management to be in for another season.

Now just like 12 months ago, Derry are searching for a replacement and the rumours have already started as to who that may be. Hopes though are that this will be solved quickly and whoever it shall be will have a full club championship campaign to cast their eye over as Derry begin to try and get back up towards the top.