Kilcoo have distanced themselves from ex-Derry GAA manager Rory Gallagher following reports that he was close to taking up a new coaching role with the Co Down club.
The former inter-county boss was rumoured to be joining the Mourne side, as reported by ‘sources close to the club’, according to The Irish Examiner.
Former Donegal star Karl Lacey departed as manager last month.
Lacey had been in charge of the senior Down club champions for two years, winning two consecutive county titles with them, and losing to Tyrone’s Errigal Ciaran in the Ulster final last year.
Gallagher was also set to take up the head coaching role with Kildare club Naas last month, but an intervention from GAA president and Armagh native Jarlath Burns caused the club to reverse its decision.
Gallagher, originally from Co Fermanagh, faced allegations of domestic abuse from his estranged wife Nicola, who made the accusations in a Facebook post in the week of the 2023 Ulster football final, when he was Derry manager preparing the team to play Armagh.
The Belleek man initially stepped back from his role with Derry prior to that final, which the Oakleafers won to retain their title, but in the days after Gallagher then stepped down.
The 46-year-old has been investigated by the PSNI in relation to the domestic abuse charges, but has never been charged. He denies the allegations.
He was later temporarily debarred by the Ulster Council, a decision which Gallagher successfully contested in front of the Disputes Resolution Authority 12 months ago.
In January, he also called for the GAA president’s intervention to be “formally withdrawn and that the contents of the correspondence (are) retracted,” Gallagher said he would be left with no alternative but to pursue legal action if that didn’t happen.
Gallagher also used his statement to “categorically deny the allegations levelled against me,” reiterating how two PPS (Public Prosecution Service in Northern Ireland) decisions, on foot of investigations into the allegations, found that he had “no case to answer.”
Speaking on “The Late, Late Show” last month, Burns said he would not be withdrawing his comments in the email. “I don’t bear any ill-will against anybody. I hope he doesn’t (take legal proceedings) but I can’t retract anything I said in a private email to a club, and I don’t say that with any sense of ebullience or determination or ‘bring it on’.”
Gallagher has recently been coaching Monaghan senior team Corduff at the time alongside previous Monaghan manager Seamus ‘Banty’ McEnaney, and has been expected to do so into 2025.
Despite reports of a return to the Derry inter-county squad following Mickey Harte’s departure, the Oakleafers appointed Tyrone’s Paddy Tally instead.
Gallagher also rose to fame as part of the main coaching team in 2012 that helped manager Jim McGuinness’s famous Donegal side win their first – and only second ever – senior All-Ireland in 20 years.
Read more
News Catch Up – Thursday 13 February