Mickey Harte has been appointed as joint-manager of the Offaly senior footballers.

The three-time Tyrone All-Ireland SFC winning manager has been endorsed by the Offaly GAA Management Committee for approval at the September county board meeting for a three-year term to co-manage the Faithful with current manager Declan Kelly.

Harte has been linked with a number of inter-county roles since stepping down as Derry manager after just one season in charge last month, including Monaghan, Kildare, Westmeath and Meath where Colm O’Rourke’s future remains shrouded in mystery. The announcement also removes any doubts about Declan Kelly’s future after a disappointing first season in charge of Offaly.

The midlanders narrowly avoided relegation from Division 3 of the Allianz League before beating Laois and losing heavily to Dublin in the Leinster SFC. They couldn’t raise a gallop after that in the Tailteann Cup, with a disastrous home defeat to London marking a low point in the county’s recent history. Harte will be hoping to get the best out of Offaly’s 2021 All-Ireland U21FC winners who are in danger of not delivering on their potential.

In a statement released by Offaly GAA, the former Tyrone, Louth and Derry boss said: “I am very 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".

County chairman 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.”

Co-manager Kelly added: “This is great news for Offaly football and Offaly GAA in general. I look forward to working closely with Mickey. He has huge success over the years and we hope to emulate that in the not-too-distant future.”

The remainder of the management will be finalised in the coming weeks.

 

𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚

Offaly GAA Football Management Review Committee has this afternoon recommended Mickey Harte as joint manager of the Offaly Footballers and this has been endorsed by Offaly GAA Management Committee for approval at the next County Board meeting. Mr Harte… pic.twitter.com/nwaWCad45i

— Official Offaly GAA (@Offaly_GAA) August 19, 2024

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