Gallagher's Naas club coaching role falls through

Rory Gallagher guided Derry to a first Ulster title in 24 years in 2022 but stepped down on the eve of the provincial final a year later when his estranged wife made allegations of domestic abuse which he denied

Former Derry football manager Rory Gallagher's appointment to a coaching role with Kildare senior club champions Naas has reportedly unravelled.

On Sunday, the Kildare club confirmed Gallagher's arrival to the backroom team of manager Joe Murphy in a brief statement.

However, the Leinster Leader said on Monday that Naas had performed a u-turn with Gallagher's appointment not now going ahead.

Amid a flurry of similar reports, the Irish Times later stated that a Naas club spokesman had said: "Rory Gallagher is now not part of the Naas senior football coaching and management team".

BBC Sport NI has contacted the Naas club and GAA headquarters at Croke Park.

Sunday's Naas statement had said: "Joe Murphy has been reappointed into the role of Naas senior football manager for 2025.

"Joe has confirmed that his management team will consist of Rory Gallagher, Padraic Cribben, Kevin Martin, Martin Sweeney and Fionn Higgins."

Gallagher was linked with Derry return

Gallagher was linked with a return to the Derry senior football manager's position in the autumn but the Oak Leaf County eventually chose Paddy Tally as Mickey Harte's successor.

The Fermanagh man managed Derry to a first Ulster title in 24 years in 2022 but stood down in the build-up to the county's provincial final appearance 12 months later 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 manager successfully challenged that disbarment last February, and a statement from his solicitors in September said 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."

Gallagher had a coaching role with Monaghan club Corduff in 2024.

Naas have won four successive Kildare Football titles and reached the Leinster Club Finals in 2021 and 2023 when they were defeated on both occasions by Kilmacud Crokes.