Louth senior football manager, Mickey Harte, is expected to leave his role with the county to become the new Derry senior football manager. Reports indicate that the former Tyrone boss informed the Louth players of this decision on Monday evening at Darver.
Shortly after the reports emerged, Louth released a statement confirming the impending move:
"Following a meeting of the Louth GAA management committee on Monday, 18th September, chairperson Peter Fitzpatrick informed committee members that senior team manager Micky Harte and senior team coach Gavin Devlin will be stepping down from their roles with Louth GAA with immediate effect, taking over with Derry senior footballers," the statement read.
The county also expressed gratitude to Harte and his backroom team for their time in the role:
"Louth GAA management committee would like to sincerely thank Mickey, Gavin, and their backroom team for their efforts in propelling Louth senior footballers from Division Four to Division Two in 2020. They have demonstrated professionalism, enthusiasm, dedication, and continued courtesy over the last three years. We have enjoyed a positive working relationship with Mickey and his management team, which culminated in the group stages of the All-Ireland, following Louth's first Leinster final appearance since 2010," they added.
"Louth GAA would like to wish Mickey, Gavin, and their management team all the best in their future endeavors. We will now immediately begin the process of seeking a new senior football team manager."
BREAKING: Micky Harte and Gavin Devlin will be standing down from their role's with Louth GAA with immediate effect, and taking over with Derry Senior Footballers.
Full story⬇️⬇️https://t.co/zcWRvQNxar pic.twitter.com/JoQEFJHUhR— Louth GAA (@louthgaa) September 18, 2023
Harte is best known for his lengthy and successful tenure with the Tyrone senior football team, where he managed from 2002 to 2020, guiding them to three All-Ireland Senior Football Championships in 2003, 2005, and 2008. Harte's time with Tyrone established him as one of the most respected figures in Irish football. He also secured numerous Ulster Senior Football Championships and National Football League titles, solidifying his legacy in Gaelic football.
In November 2020, Harte was appointed manager of the senior Louth county team for an expected three-year period, but that tenure has now come to an end.
This year, Harte led the 'Wee county' from Division 4 to Division 2 of the Allianz League and reached also them reach this year's Leinster SFC final, in which they lost heavily to Dublin.
