Mickey Harte: Oisin McConville 'shocked' by Harte's departure from Derry

Legend, Mickey Harte was appointed Derry manager in September

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Oisin McConville admits he was “shocked” by Mickey Harte’s decision to quit as Derry manager.

Derry GAA confirmed Harte’s departure on Monday, eight days after the county was knocked out of the All-Ireland quarter-finals by Kerry.

After that game, former Armagh star McConville said he believed Harte would stay with the Oak Leafers until at least the 2025 season.

“I’m shocked because you asked me last week and I said he’d definitely be here for another season,” McConville, the 2002 All-Ireland winner, told The GAA Social.

McConville added: “I didn’t see it coming.

“I did everything I could to nominate him, unless there was huge pressure from the players or from within, but I didn’t see that happening at all.”

Speaking on a bonus episode of The GAA Social, recorded immediately after Harte’s departure was announced, presenter Thomas Niblock hinted at a possible return for Rory Gallagher.

Gallagher, who took charge of Derry in 2019 and led the county to the Ulster football title in 2022, had his temporary ban lifted by the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) earlier this year.

He was deregistered after Ulster GAA asked an independent panel to investigate allegations of abuse made by Gallagher’s ex-wife, Nicola Gallagher.

Gallagher, who resigned as Derry manager in May 2023, subsequently challenged his ban and the DRA, an independent arbitration body, ruled in his favour following a hearing on February 1, an outcome which allowed him to resume his coaching career.

McConville, however, said Malachy O’Rourke should be considered. O’Rourke, who led the Glen of Derry club to the Irish Premiership title earlier this year, turned down the chance to lead the county before Harte’s appointment.

Damian McErlain’s name was also mentioned. McErlain, who preceded Gallagher as Derry’s senior manager, led the county to a second successive All-Ireland Minor Championship title on Sunday.

Legend, Oisin McConville believes Malachy O’Rourke (left), pictured next to Derry midfielder Conor Glass, should be considered for the job after leading Glen to the All-Ireland club title in January

Mayo forward Aidan O’Shea, whose in-depth interview with The GAA Social will be published on Tuesday night, admitted he was also a “bit of a surprise” that Harte had left because “he’s quite a provocative man”.

O’Shea and Mayo’s season ended with Harte’s Derry in what proved to be the 72-year-old’s penultimate game in charge, a penalty shootout victory over the Connacht side in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals.

O’Shea also said he could see former Monaghan boss O’Rourke being appointed.

“Everyone speaks very highly of Malachy,” O’Shea said.

“The Monaghan lads have always spoken highly of him. The fact there’s a strong Glen contingent on the Derry panel and they did the job in January means he should take over.”