Glen Manager Malachy O’Rourke Departs After Derry SFC Final Defeat

Malachy O’Rourke has expressed a desire to have concluded his tenure at Glen “on better terms” following his highly successful period, which concluded with a loss to Newbridge in Sunday’s Derry SFC final. During his four-year leadership, O’Rourke presided over Glen’s most accomplished era, securing three county titles, two Ulster Club Championship victories, and an All-Ireland triumph. However, O’Rourke was unable to secure a fourth consecutive Derry title, as Ciaran Brooks’ injury-time score propelled Newbridge to their first county championship in 35 years. “Fair play to Newbridge, they were up for it on the day and they played brilliantly on the day,” O’Rourke informed BBC Sport NI. “The boys showed character, I’m so proud of them, even in defeat because they kept going right until the end and I thought we’d salvaged it at the end. “It just wasn’t to be. We’ve had a brilliant time, we’re disappointed today but that’s the way football goes and fair play to Newbridge.” With his time at Glen now concluded, O’Rourke is set to prepare for his return to inter-county management with Tyrone, a role for which he was confirmed as Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan’s successor in September. Despite the final result, he stated that he departs the Watty Grahams club in Maghera with “great memories” from a remarkable period that saw them win their inaugural Derry title, experience a highly controversial All-Ireland final defeat to Kilmacud Crokes, and achieve redemption in the 2024 decider against the Dublin giants. “It’s been absolutely brilliant,” O’Rourke further commented. “The people, all the lads in the club obviously, but the whole community has embraced us and we’ve had a brilliant time. We have such great memories leaving it. “It’s a pity we couldn’t be leaving on better terms but that’s the way football goes. We’ve had a brilliant time and we have loads of memories and fair bit of success behind us. “It wasn’t our day today but I’m sure the club will go from strength to strength, I’ve no doubt about that.”