Rory Gallagher says he will pursue legal action if GAA president Jarlath Burns does not retract his correspondence with Naas GAA over the former Derry manager’s proposed appointment as a coach to the club’s senior team.
It emerged on Sunday that Gallagher was joining Joe Murphy’s management set-up with the four-in-a-row Kildare champions. But after a public backlash and an intervention by Burns – who emailed the club outlining his concerns – the Naas GAA executive backtracked on Gallagher’s appointment.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Gallagher – who previously overturned Ulster Council’s temporary debarment of him from the GAA – has now called on Burns to retract his action in contacting Naas.
“I have today seen for the first time an email sent by Jarlath Burns,” states Gallagher. “Mr Burns in what can only be described as an unprecedented move, has made a direct approach to Naas GAA in an effort to sabotage my potential appointment.
“With great power comes great responsibility. Mr Burns’ actions are premised on a misguided and self-serving compulsion to share his concern.
“Regrettably, whilst this is the first time Mr Burns’ actions have been made public, this is not the first time that I have been informed that he has taken matters into his own hands with respect to me, and my family life.”
Gallagher adds that “it seems controversy now equates to a license for presidential intervention”.
The former Fermanagh and Cavan footballer stepped down as Derry manager in May 2023 after his ex-wife, Nicola, made allegations of domestic abuse. A PSNI investigation brought no charges.
“I categorically deny the allegations levelled against me. I have engaged with every procedure available to me,” continues Gallagher in his statement. “The PPS have issued two separate decisions finding that I have no case to answer. I have the full custody of my three children, and most importantly I engaged with the GAA’s own procedures which set aside my disbarment.”
Gallagher was linked with a return to the Derry position last year but the Derry County Board instead opted to appoint Paddy Tally as their senior football manager. He has previously indicated his intention to return to managing and coaching at the top level of the game.
But there was a public kickback on social media last weekend when news of his appointment with Naas emerged. The intervention of Burns was relayed to club officers on Sunday night, and a decision was subsequently taken not to proceed with Gallagher as a coach.
The GAA president, while acknowledging in his correspondence with Naas that he had no authority to dictate club decisions, offered his opinion that such an appointment could have far-reaching consequences.
Gallagher believes the GAA president’s position influenced a U-turn by Naas and sabotaged his appointment. The former Donegal and Fermanagh manager has now threatened legal proceedings if Burns does not withdraw his comments.
“Despite [my] having engaged with due process and procedure, it seems clear that the president has now opted to take matters into his own hands. Such action is not only without precedent, it seeks to enter into an authoritarian world where due process and procedure count for nothing.
“I await with interest to see if Mr Burns takes such direct personal action against others who find their private life the subject of social media commentary and hyperbole.
“The chilling effect of these actions cannot be greater. Mr Burns’ actions not only undermine the very principles of fairness and equality to which the GAA is premised, but it sends a clear message that such dictatorial action can and will be taken, when the president sees fit.
“I have never asked for sympathy or support. I do however ask that this action is formally withdrawn and the contents of the correspondence is retracted. The president should lead by example and accept when he has overstepped the mark.
“Absent such a retraction, I will have no other alternative but to take legal action to cure the irreparable damage done to me and my family in my ability to continue to work as a manger in the years ahead.”
When contacted, the GAA stated: “The GAA acknowledges receipts of queries that have been put to us from media organisations this morning in relation to coaching positions with the Naas senior football team. We have no comment to make at this time.”
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