Offaly joint-managers Mickey Harte, left, and Declan Kelly during the county's Tailteann Cup semi-final defeat to Wicklow at Croke Park last month. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile.

Offaly's joint senior football managers step down

Adrian Cusack

Published: Wed 8 Jul 2026, 5:36 PM

Last updated: Wed 8 Jul 2026, 5:44 PM

Offaly's senior footballers will have new management for the 2027 campaign, after it was announced this evening (Wednesday) that the joint management team of Declan Kelly and Mickey Harte has stepped down.

Kilclonfert's Kelly had managed Offaly in 2024, and was then joined by Harte, the former All Ireland winner with Tyrone, as joint manager for 2025 and this year.

Offaly's Tailteann Cup campaign this summer ended in disappointment when the side was defeated by Wicklow at the semi-final stage on June 20.

In a statement, Offaly GAA's county board said it had been "informed by joint senior football managers Declan Kelly and Mickey Harte of their decision to step down from their roles".

"Once Declan had made his decision to step down, Mickey felt it was also the appropriate time for him to move on," the statement read.

"The county board would like to express its sincere thanks to Declan, Mickey, head coach Luke Bree, and the entire management and backroom team for their dedication, commitment and professionalism throughout their tenure with the Offaly senior football team.

"We wish Declan, Mickey, Luke and all of the management and backroom team every success and happiness in the future," concluded the statement from Offaly county board secretary Pádraig O'Meara.