Rory Gallagher 'ruled out of Derry running' after solicitor hits out at ‘trial by social media’
Rory Gallagher “fully intends” to return to inter-county management but it will not be with his former team Derry. Gallagher stepped down as Oak Leaf boss ahead of last season’s Ulster SFC final following allegations of domestic abuse by his estranged wife Nicola.
No charges have ever been brought and, in a statement issued through his solicitors last year, Mr Gallagher said that “all allegations had been investigated and dealt with by the proper authorities” while he was also temporarily debarred from the GAA in September 2023 as they considered the findings of the McGibbon Safeguarding Review.
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Those findings have yet to be made public and, in February 2024, Gallagher successfully challenged the ban following an appeal to the DRA (disputes resolution authority) and he is currently managing Monaghan club Corduff.
Gallagher has been linked with a return to Derry for over a year now and has been one of the frontrunners since Mickey Harte stepped down in July after just one year in charge.
However, it is believed Derry GAA have now ruled out a return to the hotseat for Gallagher.
Earlier yesterday, a statement, issued from Gallagher’s solicitors Phoenix Law, said “there is no legal impediment to our client undertaking or accepting a role as a GAA Senior Football manager” and added that “our client fully intends to return to inter county management in the near future".
“Following unfounded allegations made last year, a decision was taken by Ulster GAA to disbar him from the GAA,” the statement 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.
“He has since returned to senior football management with Corduff, Co. Monaghan. Therefore, put simply, there is no legal barrier to our client returning to inter county GAA management.
“Indeed, our client fully intends to return to inter county management in the near future.”
The statement also hit out at a “trial by social media” and said that Mr Gallagher has engaged with every process to address the allegations made.
“Our client has engaged thoroughly with the family Court proceedings,” the statement continued.
“His priority has always been - and continues to be - caring for his children, and trying to rebuild his family, in moving through what has been a very difficult time for all concerned. He has tried to navigate this situation while prioritising his family’s interests.
“Regrettably, given continued ‘trial by social media’, our client, after consultation with his three young children, has had no alternative but to make the instant details public.
“Put simply, our client has engaged with every process available to him to address the allegations made, and to overcome what has been an incredibly challenging period for his family.
"In doing so, he has been exonerated on two separate occasions by the prosecutorial authorities, his disbarment has been overturned by the DRA, and he continues to care for his children on a full-time basis.”
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