Mickey Harte's tumultuous first season as Derry manager came to an underwhelming end as his side were dumped out of the All-Ireland Championship by Kerry in a five-point defeat.
The three-time All-Ireland winner, who was a contentious appointment ahead of this season's intercounty action, steered the Sam Maguire Cup hopefuls to a statement Allianz League Division One title in the spring.
However, the Championship has been somewhat of a disaster for a side widely tipped to dethrone Dublin this season.
They were beaten by Jim McGuinness' resurgent Donegal in the Ulster SFC on a day where goalkeeper Odhran Lynch was exposed from distance.
Galway then got the better of Harte's side in the All-Ireland round-robin before they were torn apart on the counter-attack by Armagh.
They did beat Westmeath - a Division Three side - to make it to the knockout rounds before ousting Mayo via a penalty shootout to reach the quarter-finals.
Kerry, champions in 2022, had too much for them despite struggling to find their best form.
Sean Cavanagh gives grim assessment of Mickey Harte's season
Harte is contracted for another couple of seasons but a decision will be made on his future by the Derry County Board ahead of next season.
Sean Cavanagh, who was a key player under Harte during his successful spell with Tyrone, could not sugarcoat what has happened to his former manager this season.
Speaking on The Sunday Game, Cavanagh laid out just how underwhelming Derry's Championship effort has been under Harte.
It is hard to say, I suppose that (decision) is for Derry County Board," he said of Harte's future.
"I think if you asked anyone in Derry tonight; winning a League does not mean an awful lot when you go through a Championship where you have lost four games, drawn one and beaten a Division Three team.
"That is a poor Championship season.
"With the personnel and the quality they have in that group, and they have a couple of really cracking minor teams - from last year's winners to this year's which is back in the final - there is a lot to be envious of in terms of talent in the county.
"But the Championship simply has not been anywhere near good enough."
'That's a poor championship season'
Seán Cavanagh has his say on Mickey Harte's future with Derry #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/1n4iC26U8h— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 30, 2024
A fairly ominous assessment but one that hits the nail on the head given how high Derry's stock was prior to the Championship.
Harte was, however, appointed on a three-year deal so it remains to be seen whether Derry GAA will stick to that commitment.
