DIVISION 1
Armagh
Manager: Kieran McGeeney
Year: Eleven
Notes: Last year's notes focused on 'Geezer’s’ bumpy reappointment as some clubs pushed for his removal, but a year on and there’s talk of statues as he guided the county to only their second-ever All-Ireland title having captained them to their 2002 success.
Eleven seasons in charge is extraordinarily long in today’s cutthroat environment but the Orchard County have been rewarded for their patience.
The backroom team remains the same with Kieran Donaghy back on board after some speculation that he may call time.
Derry
Manager: Paddy Tally
Year: One
Notes: After a long, drawn out process following Mickey Harte’s exit, Paddy Tally, who had originally committed to Kerry for 2025, made a return to Derry – this time as manager.
Paul McIver, whose father Brian was a previous Oakleaf boss, is head coach while Kevin McGuckin and Paul McFlynn, who worked under Harte, also form part of the management team.
Cairbre Ó Cairealláin - formerly with the Limerick and Tipperary hurlers and brother of Kneecap star Móglaí Bap – is a notable addition as S&C coach.
Donegal
Manager: Jim McGuinness
Year: Two
Notes: The big news in the off-season was the confirmation that Michael Murphy was stepping out of retirement having played a key role with the Football Review Committee that introduced a raft of new rules.
Also back are Eoin McHugh, Eoghan McGettigan, Odhran McFadden-Ferry and Finbar Roarty.
On the sidelines it’s as you were with Neil McGee, Colm McFadden and Luke Barrett remaining on board as part of McGuinness’ management team.
Dublin
Manager: Dessie Farrell
Year: Six
Notes: Dessie Farrell is back for a sixth year though his term is due to come to an end at the conclusion of this season.
The ‘R’ word dominated the winter for Dublin with a number of legends stepping away.
James McCarthy and Brian Fenton announced their departures with rumours persisting over a couple of other big names.
There had been chatter than Stephen Cluxton may move from the pitch to the sideline but nothing has been confirmed yet while S&C coach Mark Brady is away.
Galway
Manager: Pádraic Joyce
Year: Six
Notes: A bit of controversy when replacing outgoing coach Cian O’Neill as Mickey Graham came into the set-up after stepping down as Leitrim boss just a few months into the job.
David Morris is another new addition to the management team who enjoyed great success as a player and coach with Corofin.
Joyce’s term has been extended to 2026, meaning he is set for seven years minimum in the job as they try to go one step further than last year’s All-Ireland final loss to Armagh.
Selectors John Concannon, John Divilly and Micheál Ó Domhnaill remain on board.
Kerry
Manager: Jack O’Connor
Year: Four
Notes: The same main man in charge but plenty of backroom changes in the Kingdom.
Coach Paddy Tally had been rumoured as a possible exit and so it came to pass with the Tyrone man moving to the Derry gig having originally stepped into a new performance coach role with Kerry for 2025.
Cian O’Neill is back for a second stint with Kerry having left Galway
Aodán MacGearailt and former minor boss James Costello come in as selectors to replace the outgoing Mike Quirke and Diarmuid Murphy.
Mayo
Manager: Kevin McStay
Year: Three
Notes: Much speculation swirled around Mayo’s end of year review but when all was said and done, McStay was given the thumbs up in September to continue for the third year of his four-year term.
Some club delegates had been critical at a county board meeting just prior to that review, but McStay’s management team met the players and they’re moving forward.
That group of players will be very different in 2025 though with one of their best ever, Cillian O’Connor, opting out next season while Padraig O’Hora, Michael Plunkett, James Carr and backup goalkeeper Rory Byrne are also out. Rob Hennelly also added his name to the list this month as he hung up the gloves.
Tyrone
Manager: Malachy O’Rourke
Year: One
Notes: Malachy O’Rourke has perennially been linked with the Red Hand job and finally it’s come to pass as the Fermanagh native – but long-term Tyrone based – takes over what is a very exciting project.
The former Monaghan and Fermanagh manager, and boss of current All-Ireland champions Glen of Derry (for a few more weeks anyway), has been handed a three-year term.
His usual right-hand man Ryan Porter, who was understood to be considering a break, is there with him, as is Leo McBride. Also included is former Tyrone forward Collie McCullagh while John Devine has moved from Down to Tyrone to look after the goalkeeping duties.
While his Glen run came to an end, the Errigal Ciarán clubman will be hoping for back-to-back Andy Merrigan joy, this time as a spectator.
DIVISION 2
Cavan
Manager: Raymond Galligan
Year: Two
Notes: Galligan may be young when it comes to the inter-county scene but his first season in charge was a good one as they pushed for promotion to the top flight, beat rivals Monaghan in Ulster and came close to doing likewise to Tyrone.
Much was made of Galligan’s 19-person backroom team last year, but it ended up being a much tighter group in practice.
It’s pretty much as you were for 2025 with a couple of changes. Colm Nally is in to help with the coaching with clinical psychologist Paul Gaffney exiting and Richard Shanahan coming in instead.
Cork
Manager: John Cleary
Year: Three
Notes: Cleary seemed to have little trouble rubber-stamping his management team for 2025 with the same faces all eager to stay involved, which means Kevin Walsh remains in situ for a third season.
There is an addition in the form of Jim O’Donoghue.
The St Finbarr’s man is a former Cork player and enjoyed plenty of success with his club as a coach. He will perform a coach-selector role. Paul O’Sullivan is the team’s new nutritionist.
Down
Manager: Conor Laverty
Year: Three
Notes: It’s not the situation he would have wanted, but Conor Laverty has been able to turn his full focus to Down in recent weeks following Kilcoo’s Ulster final loss to Errigal Ciaran. It’s very likely that Laverty will lace up the boots with the Magpies in 2025 too.
With Down it’s pretty much the same as 2024 with former Collingwood AFL star Marty Clarke remaining as Laverty’s right-hand man while performing the same role with Armagh club Killeavy under 2003 Player of the Year Stevie McDonnell.
There has been an enforced coaching change following John Devine’s decision to link up with Malachy O’Rourke in his native Tyrone. Thomas ‘Postie’ Mallon is the new goalkeeping coach.
Louth
Manager: Ger Brennan
Year: Two
Notes: After a very promising first season in charge, it’s no surprise that Ger Brennan can call on the same management team for 2025.
The Wee County pushed Dublin all the way in the Leinster final and made it to the final eight of the All-Ireland run – and they’ll hope to build on that in the coming months.
The Ardee players will have focus on county matters after their provincial campaign came to an end in the Leinster final against Cuala.
Meath
Manager: Robbie Brennan
Year: One
Notes: The Kilmacud Crokes man replaces Colm O’Rourke on a three-year term as the Royals try and get back on track after a disappointing 2024.
There had been speculation that Lar Wall was going to pip Brennan to the post late in the process, but that turned out to be wrong.
The St Peter’s Dunboyne clubman has looked to Ulster for his coach/selectors.
Joe McMahon won multiple All-Irelands with Tyrone and was part of the management team when they raised Sam Maguire for a fourth time in 2021.
Martin Corey, brother of former Monaghan boss Vinny, has been involved with county set-ups such as the Farney County and Cavan, and the Clontibret man is off to Meath next.
Monaghan
Manager: Gabriel Bannigan
Year: One
Notes: Vinny Corey’s surprise departure has resulted in one of his lieutenants stepping up to the main role.
Bannigan has previously worked with the likes of Kilmacud Crokes and St Sylvesters’ in Dublin and more recently did a very good job with his native Aughnamullen as he took them up the Farney ranks.
Former Leitrim manager Andy Moran is a notable name in the backroom team while John McElhone and Damien Freeman are also in there.
Roscommon
Manager: Davy Burke
Year: Three
Notes: Given Ulster’s dominance of football in 2024, it seems coaches from the northern province are in vogue and Roscommon claimed a much sought-after one in Down’s Mark Doran.
For so long the Longstone man seemed set to be Derry’s next manager, but it wasn’t to be with Paddy Tally eventually taking over.
In terms of exits, Lar Wall, who was linked with the Meath and Westmeath positions, has departed and is the new boss of Dublin side St Jude’s.
Westmeath
Manager: Dermot McCabe
Year: One
Notes: Westmeath were one of the last counties to get a management team in place for the 2025 season but in the end, former Cavan All-Star Dermot McCabe put his hand up.
Former Donegal player Mark McHugh is a notable addition to his ticket having worked previously with Roscommon and Galway club Maigh Cuilinn.
Diarmuid Scullion, who has worked with Scotstown in the past, will also coach the side, as will former players Damien Healy and Niall O'Brien.
DIVISION 3
Antrim
Manager: Andy McEntee
Year: Three
Notes: The Meathman is into the final year of his starting three-season term and he will be hoping his passionate approach will secure some rewards this term.
Last season's league was blighted by inconsistencies but for the second season in a row, they had a good run in the Tailteann Cup.
Given their Ulster campaign starts against All-Ireland champions Armagh, their attention will likely be quickly on that competition again in 2025.
Selector Darren O'Neill will no longer be involved.
Clare
Manager: Peter Keane
Year: One
Notes: Peter Keane was linked with a few positions over the off-season but he's ended back in Munster with Clare.
It comes after Mark Fitzgerald’s surprise exit after a year. The Kerry man was preparing for the season ahead and had attended club championship games, but returned to his native county to work with their Under-20s.
Former Kingdom boss Keane will have Peter Tormey, formerly of Roscommon, as his head coach while Miltown’s Eoin Curtin will be coach-selector.
Shane O’Rourke will be the team’s S&C coach.
Fermanagh
Manager: Kieran Donnelly
Year: Four
Notes: Donnelly managed Ulster to the interprovincial title in October but his attention quickly turned back to Fermanagh matters.
He’s maintained the same backroom team as last season – former Tyrone attacking ace Ronan O’Neill is still there and helped him out with Ulster duties – so continuity is key.
Star player Ultán Kelm did head to Freemantle for more AFL trials after last season, but that move is now off.
Kildare
Manager: Brian Flanagan
Year: One
Notes: These have been tough times for Kildare football, but there is hope that Brian Flanagan could inject some solidity into a team that’s been on the slide.
The county board have certainly put their faith in him by handing the former U20 manager a four-year term.
Former Kildare players Damien Hendy and Daryl Flynn are in the backroom team but the most notable name is undoubtedly Aidan O’Rourke.
The Armagh man took his county’s minors to the All-Ireland final this year and is no stranger to the Lilywhites having coached them during Kieran McGeeney’s reign, as did Hendy.
Laois
Manager: Justin McNulty
Year: Two
Notes: The first year of Justin McNulty's second stint as Laois manager nearly had a fantastic conclusion, but they were pipped by Down in the Tailteann Cup final.
On the playing front, they will be without Kieran Lillis who announced his retirement having made his debut in 2011.
Leitrim
Manager: Steven Poacher
Year: One
Notes: When it came to managerial drama, Leitrim led the way with Mickey Graham accepting the job, resigning a few months later and eventually linking up with Galway.
That restarted the process and it was Down man - and manager of Louth's St Mochta's - Steven Poacher who came into the role.
Poacher has experience of Connacht having worked in Roscommon under Anthony Cunningham previously and he's bring a real Ulster tint with former Fermanagh midfielder Ryan Jones and Donegal coach Anthony McGrath joining him.
Daniel St Ledger, who Poacher coached at Carlow, is also coming in while former Armagh goalkeeper Patrick Morrison will be involved too. His father, the famed John Morrison, was a previous coach with the county.
Offaly
Managers: Mickey Harte/Declan Kelly
Years: One/two
Notes: One of the big managerial stories of the offseason was Mickey Harte’s move to Offaly having left Derry after a season – with Declan Kelly set to stay on in a joint-managerial role.
The joint-manager conundrum has always presented plenty of debate, but at least the Faithful duo know the only way is up after last year's disaster of a championship campaign - Laois opener aside.
Harte's presence alone should be enough to spark real interest though, even after a nightmare summer with Derry having landed the Division 1 crown earlier in the year.
Sligo
Manager: Tony McEntee
Year: Five
Notes: Tony McEntee has agreed to stay with the Yeats County for another two years and has freshened up his backroom team ahead of the new season.
There'll be a familiar face for McEntee as Crossmaglen clubmate Aaron Kernan is on board, as is Colm McGee. Sligo man McGee will also have a focus on goalkeepers.
The pair replace the outgoing Noel Maguire and Paul Durcan.
DIVISION 4
Carlow
Manager: Shane Curran
Year: One
Notes: Shane ‘Cake’ Curran is finally on the inter-county circuit having failed in pursuit of the Fermanagh job in 2021.
The St Brigid’s man has coached in Roscommon, Offaly and Westmeath and replaced Niall Carew, who played a part in sourcing his replacement by sounding out Curran.
Limerick
Manager: Jimmy Lee
Year: Two
News: The Limerick position has been a bit of a quagmire in recent seasons with Ray Dempsey’s 2023 reign lasting just five games – with Mark Fitzgerald stepping into the breach – but there’s a bit of stability now with Lee set for his second season in charge of the Treaty County.
He has rejigged his backroom team with a couple of new additions.
Adrian O'Brien had previously worked with Limerick under Jimmy’s brother Billy, and he comes in as performance coordinator.
Micheàl Cahill is head coach having spent a number of seasons with Clare, while Dylan Kenny will still be looking after the strength and conditioning side of things.
London
Manager: Michael Maher
Year: Six
Notes: Michael Maher is back for another season and has pretty much the same group as last time.
Michael Boyle remains the team's coach while Cahir Healy will now act as a selector having given so many years to the side as a player.
Ryan Chandler, Tom Farrow and Ian Taplin are looking after the S&C and sports science end of things.
Longford
Manager: Mike Solan
Year: One
Notes: Mike Solan has had a Connacht slant to his coaching career to date – guiding Mayo to an All-Ireland U21 title in 2016 and joining Andy Moran in Leitrim more recently – but it’s off to Leinster and Longford to replace Paddy Christie.
He previously put his name forward for the Mayo job without success but has now a three-year term to try and take Longford out of the basement division.
Enda McGahern, who guided Longford to last season's Leinster minor title, will act as a selector while Michael Moyles is also in having worked with the Mayo ladies previously.
Tipperary
Manager: Philly Ryan
Year: One
Notes: Tipperary’s former goalkeeper Philly Ryan has been handed a three-year term with the Premier County after Paul Kelly stepped away after a year in charge.
Following his retirement, he was appointed as a selector with the Tipperary U21 team in 2005 before going on to manage the Tipperary minors in 2007 and 2008.
His backroom team includes coaches Paul Cahill and Cathal Naughton and it certainly will be a rebuilding job with the retired Conor Sweeney and Shane O'Connell and the unavailable Evan Comerford and Jack Kennedy amongst those not around.
Waterford
Manager: Paul Shankey
Year: Two
Notes: The Meath man is into the second year of his two-year term after a season that saw them claim their first Munster win in 14 years after downing Tipperary.
That came after a league campaign that brought just a single point, so an obvious area for improvement exists there.
Rathgormack's performance in the Munster Club - coming within a point of eventual champions Dr Croke's - is a positive note to carry into the season.
Wexford
Manager: John Hegarty
Year: Three
Notes: John Hegarty is back for a third season with the Model County.
At the end of last season, a county board review was carried out and the response was "positive" and with Hegarty having the option of a third year when first appointed, no ratification was required.
Wicklow
Manager: Oisín McConville
Year: Three
Notes: The Armagh great is back on board for a third season, and he has freshened up his backroom team.
Mark Doran has left the scene and will be with Roscommon in 2025 and speaking of the Rossies, former player Frankie Dolan will be his replacement.
Dolan managed Abbeylara to their first Longford title in 18 years following a replay victory against Colmcille in October.
Gary Duffy, Des Jennings and Chris Coburn return from last season.
New York
Manager: Ronan McGinley
Year: One
Notes: A new face in the big apple as Tyrone’s Ronan McGinley takes over, although he has been around the New York GAA scene for a good while now.
A brother of former Tyrone star Enda, he replaces the outgoing Alan O’Mara having played for New York from 2011 to 2017, captaining the team in 2012.
McGinley was a coach under O’Mara in 2024 and Jeff Farrell, David McNamara and Dean O’Donnell return as selectors.
