Ciarán Meenagh confirmed as the new Derry manager

By Michael McMullan

DERRY have appointed Ciarán Meenagh as their new manager, with former skipper Chrissy McKaigue as part of his management team.

The Loughmacrory man was ratified at a meeting of clubs on Thursday night and steps into the vacant post left after Paddy Tally stepped down after one season in the post.

Meenagh stepped away from his role in Conor Laverty’s management team in Down.

He coached Derry under Damian McErlain in 2019 before staying on as part of Rory Gallagher’s backroom team for their back-to-back Ulster titles and promotion to Division One.

When Gallagher stepped down, on the eve of the 2023 Ulster final win over Armagh, Meenagh stepped up to the manager post for the quarter-final win over Cork and their semi-final exit at the hands of Kerry.

Mickey Harte then took over for the 2024 season with Meenagh then going in alongside Laverty in Down.

After last year’s long saga to appoint a senior manager, Derry now have their plans in place ahead of the upcoming club championship season.

The championship draws were also made at Owenbeg on Thursday with a return to the backdoor format.

It commences on the weekend of August 16/17, giving Meenagh the chance to run his eye over all the players in the county.

Club delegates also ratified the re-appointment of the following manager roles.

U-20 football: Damian McErlain
Minor football: Kieran Glackin
Senior hurling: Johnny McGarvey
U-20 hurling: Ryan O’Neill
Minor hurling: Danny McGrellis

Check out our latest podcast as Rory Grugan and Gerard O’Kane look ahead to Sunday’s All-Ireland final between Donegal and Kerry.