Former Derry coach Rory Gallagher free to return to coaching after barring is lifted

Kenneth Fox

Former Derry manager Rory Gallagher’s barring from GAA activity has been lifted by the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA), the Irish Examiner has reported.

The independent arbitration body found in the Fermanagh native’s favour against the Ulster Council’s judgement, which precluded him from coaching teams.

Gallagher’s DRA hearing took place on February 1st and notification of their ruling was issued to the relevant parties this morning.

Following the DRA decision, Gallagher is now free to take charge of sides. He had been coaching Monaghan club Corduff prior to notice of the suspension, which was issued last September.

Gallagher had been temporarily barred by the Ulster Council as they commissioned a safeguarding panel to look into domestic abuse allegations pertaining to his private life.

“Ulster GAA wish to confirm that Mr Rory Gallagher has been temporarily debarred, without prejudice, from the GAA until the Ulster GAA Safeguarding Panel conclude their work,” they confirmed.

That review commenced in July, two months after Gallagher stepped down as Derry manager the week of their Ulster SFC final against Armagh in the wake of a social media post by his former wife Nicola in which she made allegations.

In October, the council confirmed they had received the report and were reflecting on the findings of it. "We will take time to consider the findings of the report, and we are committed to implementing the recommendations and taking forward the key learnings from it,” read a statement.

However, the findings of the report were never released, only confirmation that Gallagher has brought a case to the independent DRA against the temporary barring.

Gallagher is expected to return to club coaching in the coming weeks. Prior to his departure as Derry manager last May, the 45-year-old led the county to a first Ulster SFC title in 24 years having guided them from Division 3 to 1.