DERRY’S search for Mickey Harte’s replacement has entered its eleventh week with James Horan, Peter Keane, Ciaran Meenagh and Conleith Gilligan all ruled out as potential candidates.
Former Kerry boss Peter Keane, whose 2019 team took Dublin to a replay in the All-Ireland final, was a surprise candidate for a move north but The Irish News understands that despite an approach having been made, he will not be the next Derry manager either.
Ciaran Meenagh had also been touted as a possible solution but it’s understood he has committed to staying with Down next season.
The Loughmacrory man took over for the Ulster final in 2023 and took them to within a whisker of beating Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Derry offered him the job on a permanent basis at that time but he turned it down and joined up with Conor Laverty’s ticket in the Mourne county last autumn, helping them to Tailteann Cup success in the summer.
Having had a significant impact on Armagh’s All-Ireland success in his first year there, former Oak Leaf forward Conleith Gilligan is staying in the Orchard county and won’t be part of any Derry setup next year.
Harte stepped down 71 days ago on July 8, but so far Derry have had no luck in finding a replacement for the former Tyrone boss who has moved on to link up with Declan Kelly as joint-manager in Offaly.
Derry missed out on Malachy O’Rourke, a target of the last two summers and many others, as he opted to take up the Tyrone gig instead.
Former two-time Mayo manager Horan was speaking on the Irish Examiner’s weekly podcast amid conflicting rumours over the past ten days that he would be appointed and that he had turned the role down.
Horan managed his native county from 2010 until 2014 and then returned in 2018 and stayed another five seasons.
He has not managed another county outside that time and sources in Mayo believe that it’s unlikely that he will do so.
As with Keane, the logistical realities of the journey to Derry made them both look like unlikely candidates.
“No is the answer. I’m not the new Derry manager,” Horan said when asked about the rumours.
“What a team to be manager of though. It’s gonna be an interesting appointment.
“A team as serious as Derry, with the players they have and the underage they have coming through, I’m sure they’re gunning hard to get their person in place.
“They need to get that done as quick as they can, I’m sure they’re working hard on it.”