Mickey Harte announced today, Monday, July 8, that he is stepping down as manager of Derry GAA's Senior Football Team.
Derry GAA confirmed on Monday that Harte had informed the Derry County Board that he has decided to step down from his position with the Derry Senior Football team.
During his tenure, Harte guided the team to win both the Bank of Ireland Dr. McKenna Cup and Allianz National Football League, delivering a first national title for the county since 2008.
Harte said: “I have decided to step down as manager of the Derry Senior Football team.
“I would like to thank the players for the huge commitment they gave to the Derry jersey during the 2024 season.
“I would also like to thank Gavin [Devlin] and the entire backroom team for their hard work, dedication, and expertise.
“Thanks too for the support of the County Board and all those generous sponsors of the GAA in Derry.
“Finally, I wish the players every success in the years ahead.”
John Keenan, Chairperson of Derry GAA, said: “We sincerely thank Mickey, Gavin, and their entire backroom team for their hard work and dedication throughout the 2024 season.
“We wish them the very best in their future endeavours.”
Derry GAA said a process will now be put in place for the appointment of a new Senior Football Management team.
#GAA news: Mickey Harte steps down as @Doiregaa senior football team manager
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 8, 2024
Harte, 72, previously managed the senior football team from his home county of Tyrone from 2003 until 2020. During his tenure, Tyrone claimed its first-ever All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title in 2003; they won again in 2005 and 2008.
In 2011, while at the helm of Tyrone, Harte endured immense tragedy when his daughter Michaela, 27, was attacked and killed while on her honeymoon in Mauritius. No one has ever been convicted of her murder.
In November 2020, Harte was appointed the manager of the Louth Senior Football Team for a three-year term. He departed in September 2023, and Louth GAA thanked him, Devlin, and their backroom team "for their efforts in propelling Louth Senior Footballers into Div. 2 football from Div. 4 in 2020."
The same week Harte's departure from Louth was confirmed, Derry GAA announced that Harte had been appointed on a three-year term and would lead a management team including Devlin.
However, Harte's last match as manager of Derry was ultimately on June 30, when Derry lost to Kerry 0-15 to 0-10 in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-final, ending his side's run for the Sam Maguire.
Watch the Full-Time Highlights of Kerry v Derry in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Semi-Final here on #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/H02NS1nuzz
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 16, 2023
The news of Harte's departure comes just days before Armagh and Kerry as well as Galway and Donegal battle it out in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-finals this weekend.
The two winners will face off in the final at Dublin's Croke Park on Sunday, July 28.
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