Northern Ireland

Rory Gallagher ‘ruled out of consideration’ for Derry job

Derry GAA confirm former boss no longer in running for reappointment

Derry manager Rory Gallagher speaking at a press day at Owenbeg in 2022 before  the All Ireland Senior Football Championship semi final where Derry played Galway at Croke Park Picture Margaret McLaughlin 1-7-2022.
Former Derry manager Rory Gallagher

Derry GAA chiefs have ruled former manager Rory Gallagher out of a return to the high-profile post.

The ex-Fermanagh star had been linked with a return to the Oakleaf job, which he left under a cloud of controversy last year.

He stepped down as Derry manager in the days before the Ulster final in May 2023 after his estranged wife Nicola made allegations of domestic abuse against him.

She claimed she was the victim of physical abuse for more than 24 years and that GAA chiefs in Derry and Fermanagh were told but took no action.



GAA officials in Derry ruled Mr Gallagher out of contention just hours after his solicitor claimed that he “fully intends” to return to inter-county management.

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In a statement Daragh Mackin of Phoenix Law said “there is no legal impediment to our client undertaking or accepting a role as a GAA senior football manager”.

However, in a dramatic twist on Friday evening Derry GAA officials issued a one line statement confirming “he is not in consideration for the post”.