Rory Gallagher: Former Derry boss ‘not in consideration’ for return

Derry GAA have ruled out the possibility of former manager Rory Gallagher returning as their senior men’s football manager.

Gallagher, who led Derry to the Ulster title in 2022, released a statement through his solicitors on Friday stating his intentions to return to inter-county management.

The Oak Leaf county have been without a manager since Mickey Harte’s departure in August.

A Derry statement said that Gallagher was “not in consideration for the position” of the vacant manager’s job.

Gallagher stood down in the build-up to the county’s Ulster final appearance in 2023 after allegations of abuse were made by his estranged wife Nicola Gallagher, which he denied.

He was then “temporarily debarred” by the GAA in September 2023 when an independent panel was asked to investigate claims.

The former Donegal and Fermanagh coach successfully challenged that disbarment in February, and a statement from his solicitors on Friday read that there was no “legal impediment” to prevent him returning to a senior role in the game.

“Our client fully intends to return to inter county management in the near future,” the statement continued.

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