Paddy McNulty steps down as Donegal U14 Interleague head coach

Manager Paddy McNulty has stepped down as the head coach of Donegal's U14 Interleague team. During his three and a half year stint at the helm of the developmental side, they brought home a raft of trophies to the hills. As head coach, he guided Donegal's young footballing stars to an All-Ireland title, the Craigavon Cup, the Foyle Cup and the second tier of the Kennedy Cup. But now, the Cappry Rovers clubman says it's time for him to step aside. "After three and a half memorable years as Head Coach of the Donegal U14 Interleague team, I would like to sincerely thank the Donegal Schoolboys Executive for giving me the opportunity to manage such a talented group of players," Paddy said in a statement. "A massive thank you also goes to my coaching team – John Brennan, Caolan McConnell, David O’Carroll and Paddy Carr. From day one, our main goal was to develop players and help them reach their potential." "While player development was always our priority, it was a fantastic bonus to enjoy so much success along the way." Paddy also said that the successes achieved by his players created "memories that will last a lifetime." "Our journey began in 2023 in the SFAI Interleague programme, with plenty of memorable trips and experiences that helped shape this group." "In 2024, we travelled to Barcelona with two teams and were proud to bring home both top trophies. It was an incredible experience for the players, parents and coaches, creating memories that will last a lifetime." "We also competed in the All-Ireland Interleague competition, where we narrowly missed out on the title in 2025 after losing to an outstanding Cork side." "However, 2025 still proved to be a hugely successful year as we lifted both the Craigavon Cup and the Foyle Cup – achievements that reflected the hard work and commitment of everyone involved." "That success carried into 2026. After strengthening the squad towards the end of 2025, we finally achieved our ultimate goal by winning the All-Ireland title. We also enjoyed another historic moment at the Kennedy Cup, winning the Second Tier competition – the first time a Donegal team had ever lifted a trophy at the Kennedy Cup." "Looking back, it has been an incredible journey filled with development, dedication, friendships and success. Watching these players grow both on and off the pitch has been the greatest reward of all." "As every chapter eventually comes to an end, my management team and I have decided to step down as Donegal U14 Interleague coaches." "We leave with immense pride in what we achieved together and would like to thank every player, parent, coach and member of the Executive for their support throughout the past three and a half years." "We wish the players and the next management team every success in the future. Thank you for the memories—it has been an absolute privilege."