Rochford takes up Tullamore role as Harte recommits to Offaly

In a surprise development, Stephen Rochford has joined Tullamore as a coach ahead of their bid for a three-in-a-row of Offaly SFC titles.

The high-profile appointment comes just a few weeks after Rochford acted as interim Mayo manager after Kevin McStay stepped away for health reasons. He previously managed Mayo when they lost All-Ireland finals to Dublin in 2016 and '17, having guided Corofin to All-Ireland club glory in 2015. More recently, Rochford had a spell as Donegal coach.

The Crossmolina native will link up with new Tullamore manager Paul McConway and fellow coaches Niall Smith and Kevin O'Brien. The Blues are strong favourites to retain the Dowling Cup, despite losing last Sunday's Division 1 League final to Edenderry after a four-year reign.

Meanwhile, Mickey Harte will continue as joint-manager of the Offaly senior footballers in 2026.

The Tyrone legend was an interested spectator at the Division 1 League final at Glenisk O’Connor Park, and confirmed his intention to remain at the helm alongside Declan Kelly. The duo will be reappointed along with senior hurling manager Johnny Kelly at the next county board meeting, which isn’t expected to take place until September.

A surprise appointment last August, Harte oversaw a major upswing in the Faithful County’s fortunes this year. They won Division 3 of the Allianz Football League before losing to All-Ireland semi-finalists Meath in the Leinster SFC quarter-final after surrendering a 10-point half-time lead.

In the Tailteann Cup, Offaly won their first two group matches against Wicklow and Waterford before a defeat to Laois sent them into a preliminary quarter-final against New York. They comfortably accounted for the Exiles before a one-point loss to Kildare – who they had twice beaten in the Allianz League – saw them bow out at the quarter-final stage.