Derry set to ratify u-20 manager ahead of the new season

DERRY GAA are set to ratify their new Derry u-20 football manager at the next meeting of the County Committee ahead of the 2024 season.

Hugh McGrath will fill the vacancy left after former All-Ireland minor winning manager Martin Boyle stepped down from the post.

McGrath, Derry’s Coaching Officer, was part of Rory Gallagher’s management team as the senior team’s liaison offer.

NEW ROLE…Former Steelstown manager Hugh McGrath is set to be named as the Derry u-20 football manager

It’s understood he is set to continue in the same role under Mickey Harte as a link between the u-20 and senior management teams.

Chris Collins will form of McGrath’s management team which is yet to be fully finalised.

Collins, the county’s Games Development Manager, was part of Paddy Bradley’s management when he was u-20 boss and coached Glenullin to back-to-back intermediate titles under Bradley.

Derry have reached seven of the last nine Ulster minor finals, going on to win All-Ireland titles in 2020 and 2023.

The county haven’t enjoyed the same success at u-20 or u-21 level. Under Mickey Donnelly, the Oakleaf County won the inaugural u-20 title in 2018 and you have to go back to 1997 for the last All-Ireland title at this grade.

They were beaten in last year’s Ulster final by Down after not having access to any of the players who were part of Rory Gallagher’s senior squad.