GAA: Ciaran Meenagh to be named Derry senior football manager

Ciaran Meenagh has been named the new Derry senior football manager.

The former Oak Leaf interim boss was confirmed on Thursday after his appointment was rubberstamped by clubs within the county.

His backroom team will contain former Derry defender Chrissy McKaigue as coach, while it is expected All-Ireland minor-winning manager Marty Boyle will form a significant part of the set-up, as will Martin McConnell on logistics.

Meenagh has vast knowledge of the scene in Derry, having served as coach under Damian McErlain in 2019 and then under Rory Gallagher from 2020 until 2023.

The Loughmacrory native took over as interim manager in 2023 when Gallagher stood back. Derry won the Ulster title under Meenagh with a penalty shootout victory over Armagh in the final, before losing to Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Following that defeat, Meenagh opted to move on despite having a strong case to be appointed on a full-time basis.

Instead, he took up a coaching role with Down and has played a big part in their recent resurgence, but his parting of ways with the Mournemen paved the way for his Derry return.

Meenagh is the third successive manager from Tyrone appointed as Derry boss, following one-year spells from Mickey Harte and Paddy Tally.