Former Derry manager Rory Gallagher 'fully intends' to return to inter-county management

Former Derry GAA football manager Rory Gallagher has said he ‘fully intends’ to return to inter-county management in a statement issued by his solicitors.

The former Fermanagh and Donegal manager continues to be linked with a return to the Oakleaf county after leaving days before the Ulster Championship final.

Mr Gallagher stepped down after his estranged wife Nicola made allegations of domestic abuse against him in May 2023.

She claimed she was the victim of physical abuse for more than 24 years.

Gallagher was "temporarily debarred" from the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in September 2023 after Ulster GAA asked an independent panel to investigate the allegations.

The former Fermanagh star challenged his ban, and the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA), an independent arbitration body, found in Gallagher's favour following a hearing on 1 February.

His solicitor, Darragh Mackin, of Phoenix Law, last night said Mr Gallagher fully intends to return to inter-county management soon, as reported by the Irish News.

The statement read: “There is no legal impediment to our client undertaking or accepting a role as a GAA senior football manager.

“Our client fully intends to return to intercounty management in the near future.

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

Mr Gallagher returned to senior management with Monaghan side Corduff after his ban was lifted earlier this year.

Rumours continue to persist about the potential reappointment as Derry manager, following Mickey Harte’s parting with the Oakleaf County after one season.

The statement continued: “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.

“"Decision-making must be made lawfully and should never be contaminated by irrelevant social media opinion or comment."

Mr Gallagher led Derry to the 2022 Ulster Football Championship and laid the foundations for the 2023 success in the provincial competition too before his resignation.

Speculation around the reappointment of Gallagher has divided opinion in the county.

Gary Coleman, a member of the 1993 All-Ireland winning side and the son of the former Oakleaf manager that brought the Sam Maguire to Derry 31 years ago, told the Irish News he would boycott matches if he was reappointed.

Doire Trasna and former X-Factor contestant Eoghan Quigg took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to comment about the rumours about Gallagher’s reappointment.

He wrote: “Won’t watch a single game next season if he’s the manager.”

Derry have been without a manager since Harte parted ways in early July, and the county board is still searching for the right person to replace the Tyrone man.

The county board’s search has proved fruitless to this point as former inter-county managers and individuals linked with the job continue to rule themselves out of the job.

James Horan is the latest to deny any connection with the vacant position, with Damian McErlain not interested in the job.

However, within the county there remain fans that would reappoint Gallagher, believing he is the best option and hope in delivering the county’s second All-Ireland title.

And as the lack of news coming out of the county board regarding their appointment, the noises of a Gallagher return continue to get louder.

Time will tell if Gallagher is reappointed or if Derry’s county board goes in another direction.