Derry say stance ruling out Gallagher return unchanged
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
- Published
Derry GAA has indicated that its position of ruling out Rory Gallagher from making a return to the county's football management is unchanged.
The Irish News reported, external that the county's executive had been set to vote on a proposal at a meeting on Thursday night which would have involved Gallagher being part of a management team headed by Enda Muldoon before the planned vote was shelved.
On Friday morning, BBC Sport NI asked Derry GAA a number of questions about its continuing attempts - which now extend beyond four months - to find a successor to Mickey Harte.
These included whether Derry's stated position from 20 September that Gallagher "is not in consideration for the position" remained the case.
In response, a Derry spokesman replied: "Our position remains the same and the process is on-going."
The one-line Derry statement did not give any further detail on when it expects to fill the vacancy.
Derry only county without manager
Gallagher 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 in February, and a statement from his solicitors on 20 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."
Later in the same day, Derry GAA told BBC Sport NI that Gallagher was not being considered for the Oak Leaf vacancy.
Derry remains the only county which hasn't got a football management team in place for the 2025 campaign which will begin in late January when the Allianz League gets under way.