Paddy Tally: Derry job ‘too good’ to turn down
It is not the first time the Galbally native has been part of the coaching set-up in Derry. Tally worked under the stewardship of Brian McIver in 2015 after being part of James McCartan’s backroom team when Down reached the 2010 All-Ireland.
He went onto work as Down manager between 2019 and 2021 before taking on the Kerry role after O’Connor’s return to the Kingdom post.
After three seasons as head coach under O’Connor, Tally was due to start a new role as performance director for this coming season.
As a coach, Tally has been to four All-Ireland finals – winning two and losing two – and believes his experiences will help shape Derry’s future.
“The journey of mine is 20 years on the road now and I’d like to think the experience of what I’ve picked up and what I’ve done, I’ll bring it altogether to work with these players here,” Tally said.
“The days you win its a fantastic feeling but the days you lose are the days you learn more.”
Despite not lifting the Sam Maguire since 1993, Derry have had solid runs over the last three seasons with two semi-finals appearances followed by last year’s quarter-final defeat to Kerry.
In Mickey Harte’s solo year in charge, the Oak Leaf county did win the Division One title but only won two championship games in 2024.
“It wasn’t all bad,” Tally responded when asked about Derry’s 2024 campaign.
“People forget quickly about the national league title. To win a league title any year is a good thing for a team and winning silverware at Croke Park is massively important for the development of a squad.”
“Having that is a good starting point for the players. They did make a good fist of it at the end of the championship to come back to Croke Park.”
