DERRY GAA HAS this evening appointed Damian McErlain as its new senior football manager for a three-year term, a week before he leads the county into the All-Ireland minor final.
McErlain was ratified at tonight’s county committee meeting and will replace Damian Barton, whose two-year tenure came to an end in July following defeat to Mayo in the qualifiers.
Killian Conlan, Gavin McGeehan and former Derry goalkeeper Barry Gillis will be part of McErlain’s management team.
In a statement, Derry GAA said: “Over the past decade, through their work with our minor and other underage squads, Damian and his team have demonstrated their ability and commitment to creating an environment which helps players achieve their potential.
“We look forward to working in partnership with the new senior management team as they help progress Derry inter-county football into the future.”
First on the agenda, however, is the small matter of a first All-Ireland minor final for the county in a decade.
McErlain masterminded Derry’s thrilling victory over Dublin in the last four clash week and is currently preparing his side for the 17 September decider against Kerry.
Commenting on his appointment, he said: “On behalf of myself and the management team, we are delighted and honoured to be entrusted with working with our county’s senior footballers for the next three years.
“We are massively looking forward to working with the county’s best players and the other stakeholders involved in creating the environment to fulfil the potential that’s within Derry football.
“We know the talent that exists within the county and we’ve developed three strong minor teams to further bolster that. We now need to ensure that we have the right environment for the players to develop further.
“We’ve a big couple of weeks ahead with the All-Ireland minor final to look forward to, and we’ll get down to work with the senior job once that occasion has passed. Until then it’s all about Derry minors trying to win an All-Ireland title and nothing else.”
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