Derry GAA rule out Gallagher returning as manager

Derry GAA have ruled out Rory Gallagher returning as their senior football manager.

In a statement earlier on Friday, Gallagher's lawyers said that he "fully intends to return to inter-county management in the near future" but the Oak Leaf County subsequently confirmed to RTÉ Sport that that will be not be with their county team.

Gallagher stepped back from his role as Derry manager in May 2023 following serious allegations regarding his private life.

In a social media posting, Gallagher's former wife Nicola claimed she had been the victim of domestic violence over a period of years during their marriage.

Gallagher stated that any allegations against him had been investigated and no charges were brought.

He was issued a temporary ban by the Ulster GAA last September, however that was subsequently overturned by the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) in February.

In recent weeks, he had been linked with a return to Derry following Mickey Harte's departure, and earlier today, in a statement released by Phoenix Law, Gallagher, who has been coaching with Monaghan side Corduff in recent times, made it clear that he wanted to return to the inter-county scene.

"Firstly, and most importantly, there is no legal impediment to our client undertaking or accepting a role as a GAA senior football manager," it read.

"Our client successfully challenged the decision to disbar him from the GAA, before the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).

"The DRA found, amongst other things, that Ulster GAA were incorrect in their decision to disbar Mr Gallagher. Therefore, put simply, there is no legal barrier to our client returning to inter-county GAA management," he said.

"Indeed, our client fully intends to return to inter-county management in the near future."

The statement also addressed the decision of the PSNI not to prosecute due to "insufficient evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction".

"Crucially, he has engaged with all criminal investigations and answered all questions posed to him by the police," the statement continued.

"At all stages of this process, our client has firmly and steadfastly denied his guilt and refuted all the allegations levelled against him.

"Two separate investigations have led – rightly – to discussions by the PPS not to prosecute. Mr Gallagher has not been charged with a single offence."

Addressing a return to the inter-county scene, the statement also added that Gallagher has been "transparent" with interested parties.

"It is a widely reported fact that our client has now been connected with a number of potential roles within the GAA.

"Our client has always been transparent with each of those who have approached him for appointment. Today, for the reasons touched upon above, our client makes those details public.

"Any decision to appoint our client in any role within the GAA should be exercised in accordance with the rule of law and due process. Decision making must be made lawfully and should never be contaminated by irrelevant social media opinion or comment."