DERRY are beginning another managerial search after announcing last night that Paddy Tally has stepped down.
The Tyrone man left his role in the Kerry backroom last November when he was given a three-year term on Foyleside.
But the reign of Derry’s fourth gaffer since 2023 has come to an end.
A brief comment from Tally in a Derry GAA statement said: “I want to thank my management, backroom and medical team and most importantly the players for their commitment and dedication over the past season.
“Thank you to Derry county board and the staff in Owenbeg and Celtic Park for their hospitality and support.
“I wish the Derry senior footballers the best for the future.”
The record will show that Tally oversaw a winless spell at the helm.
But as well as dealing with a glut of injury absentees, his hopes of a successful year were hindered as the Oak Leafers were behind the curve in installing a new gaffer.
They were the last county to fill a managerial vacancy for 2025, with his appointment coming 129 days after Mickey Harte stepped down.
Derry entered the National League as reigning champions but suffered relegation to Division 2.
The only point yielded came in a draw against Galway and Tally’s side also failed to record a victory in a Championship campaign that began with an Ulster SFC quarter-final loss to Donegal.
And despite showing considerable improvement in the All-Ireland group stage, Derry finished bottom of their group, losing to Armagh and Dublin as well as playing another draw with the Tribe.
Speaking after the defeat to the Dubs that ended his side’s interest in the Championship, Tally said: “We didn’t have the time to get going early enough.
“We didn’t get our work done and we’re only starting to show now what we can play.”
Tally was credited with having a say in the defensive improvements that helped Kerry claim the 2022 All-Ireland SFC title.
The Derry gig was his first as an inter-county manager since his three-year term as Down gaffer came to an end in 2021.
Derry GAA chairperson John Keenan, said: “We’re grateful to Paddy, his selectors and wider backroom team for the time and dedication they’ve given to Derry football over the 2025 season.”
