Rory Gallagher takes legal action against GAA

Former Derry football manager Rory Gallagher has begun legal proceedings against the GAA.

Former Derry, Fermanagh and Donegal manager, Rory Gallagher.

Former Derry, Fermanagh and Donegal football manager Rory Gallagher has begun legal proceedings against the GAA. Gallagher was set to becoming Naas head coach in January before an intervention by GAA president Jarlath Burns convinced the Kildare club to withdraw from the proposed agreement.

Burns wrote to the club asking them to give careful consideration to a decision that would “reverberate far beyond your immediate community" and transmit a "message about the values we uphold and the standards we set for our members and supporters".

In 2023, Gallagher stepped down as Derry manager prior to the Ulster final following allegations of domestic abuse made against him by his estranged wife Nicola. Gallagher has been investigated by authorities in the north of Ireland but was never charged. He denies the allegations categorically and called on the GAA president to withdraw his action in regard to the Naas position and threatened legal action.

In a Late Late Show interview Burns declined to withdraw the contents of his correspondence. Now Gallagher is suing the assocation for malicious falsehood and breach of contract.