Offaly GAA shock as former Derry manager joins Kelly as joint senior football manager

In a bolt from the blue, former Derry manager Mickey Harte was unveiled as joint Offaly senior football manager on Monday evening alongside the outgoing Declan Kelly.

Harte's appointment was rubber stamped at a Management Committee meeting of Offaly GAA on Monday evening, stunning supporters and observers who had no inkling that it was coming.

Kelly had served one year as manager in 2024, having been appointed in late 2023. The Kilclonfert man had led Offaly to an All-Ireland U20 football title in 2021 and it had been anticipated that he would be back for another year – even though there had been a kick back against him in some circles and some players had expressed reservations.

However, Kelly had still done enough to warrant a second year as he tried to continue a team rebuilding programme and there was a desire among the powers that be to give him a full chance, albeit with some additions.

Offaly GAA chairman Michael Duignan had brought the two men together in recent days and agreement was reached over the weekend. There had been speculation that additions would be made to Kelly's management structure with a new coach on board but there had been no indication that an appointment with the profile of Harte was imminent.

He is the second manager with a real national profile in a few years as Kelly had replaced former Mayo boss, John Maughan and it is the first time an All-Ireland senior winning manager has taken over an Offaly team.

Harte became available after stepping down as Derry manager after their championship exit this year – he had managed Louth from 2020 to 2023, leaving them then to take over the Derry vacancy.

He comes to Offaly with a great track record with his native Tyrone, whom he managed from 2003 until 2020. He had fantastic success with them in this period, bringing them to unprecedented success. Under his watch, Tyrone won hree All Ireland senior football titles, six Ulster titles, 1 National League and 12 Dr McKenna Cups.

The remainder of management and backroom team will be finalised over the coming weeks with an additional coach likely to be added.

The Offaly GAA Football Management Review Committee met on Monday afternoon to recommend Mickey Harte as joint manager of the Offaly Footballers and this was quickly endorsed by Offaly GAA Management Committee for approval at the next County Committee meeting.

Harte will co-manage with current manager Declan Kelly for a period of three years.

Offaly GAA Chairperson Michael Duignan said: "I am delighted that Mickey Harte has come on board with Declan as joint manager of the Offaly Senior football team. His genuine interest in Offaly GAA and his wealth of experience is what I feel Offaly football needs right now. On behalf of the Co 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.”

Mickey Harte said: "I am really looking forward to working with Declan and the players over the next three years. I am very aware of the history and tradition of Offaly football and believe that there is huge potential within the county. I am really 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 Michael Duignan for his professionalism and honesty during our meetings.”

Declan Kelly remarked: "This is great news for Offaly football and Offaly GAA in general. 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.”

It will be interesting to see what way the duo will work together and whether one man will emerge as a dominant force but they are likely to have agreed all aspects of their management roles and are singing off the one hymn sheet.

Harte's appointment comes in the wake of a traumatic 2024 where Offaly held their status in Division 3 of the National Football League and achieved a big objective when beating Laois in the Leinster championship. However, it ended with a cloud hanging over the squad and management as they endured a traumatic Tailteann Cup campaign, losing to London, Limerick and Down.

Harte's appointment will bring a lot of national attention onto Offaly and it will certainly generate great interest in the panel, players in general and among supporters.