Gallagher threatens legal action against Burns

Rory Gallagher has threatened to take legal action against GAA president Jarlath Burns if he does not retract the contents of an email he sent to Naas GAA Club.

Gallagher was set to be included on the coaching set-up of the Kildare club's senior football team before the club announced last week that the former Fermanagh, Donegal and Derry manager would not be joining them.

It subsequently emerged that Burns had sent Naas an email ahead of a club executive meeting, following which the decision was taken not to hire Gallagher.

In a statement released today, Gallagher described Burns' email as an "unprecedented move".

Gallagher stepped back from his role as Derry manager in May 2023 following serious allegations regarding his private life.

In a social media posting, Gallagher's former wife Nicola claimed she had been the victim of domestic violence over a period of years during their marriage.

Gallagher stated that any allegations against him had been investigated and no charges were brought.

Last September, Gallagher, through his lawyer, released a statement stating he "fully intends to return to inter-county management in the near future" amid links to a Derry return.

However, Paddy Tally ultimately replaced the outgoing Mickey Harte in the Oak Leaf hot seat.

In today's statement, Gallagher again denied all allegations and highlighted how the GAA had revoked their own ban against him taking part in GAA activities in September 2023.

He was last year coaching Monaghan club Corduff, a role he is expected to continue in in 2025.

"I categorically deny the allegations levelled against me. I have engaged with every procedure available to me. 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," he stated today.

"Despite having engaged with due process and procedure, it seems clear that the President has now opted to take matters into his own hands."

Gallagher has called on Burns to withdraw the contents of his email, threatening legal action if he fails to do so.

"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 I do however ask that this action is formally withdrawn and the contents of the correspondence is retracted.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 (sic) in the years ahead."

The Irish Independent reported that Burns "stressed in his email that Naas had the right and the independence to proceed with the appointment".

RTÉ Sport has contacted Burns for his response, while a GAA spokesperson said the organisation had no comment to make on the matter at this time.

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