Malachy O’Rourke says he wishes he was leaving Glen “on better terms” after his hugely successful reign was ended with defeat by Newbridge in Sunday’s Derry SFC final.
O’Rourke has overseen the greatest period in Glen’s history with his four-year spell in charge yielding three county titles, two Ulster Club Championship wins and an All-Ireland triumph.
But O’Rourke was unable to mastermind a fourth successive Derry title with Ciaran Brooks’ injury-time score propelling Newbridge to their first county success in 35 years.
“Fair play to Newbridge, they were up for it on the day and they played brilliantly on the day,” O’Rourke told 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 at an end, O’Rourke will begin preparing for his return to inter-county management with Tyrone, having been confirmed as Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan’s successor in September.
But he says he leaves the Watty Grahams club in Maghera with “great memories” after a whirlwind spell that produced their first ever Derry title and a hugely controversial All-Ireland final loss to Kilmacud Crokes before redemption in the 2024 decider against the Dublin giants.
“It’s been absolutely brilliant,” added O’Rourke.
“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.”