He first stepped back, now Rory Gallagher has stepped down as Derry senior football manager.
Derry GAA has confirmed that Ciarán Meenagh, who had replaced Gallagher for Sunday’s Ulster final win over Armagh, would be remaining in charge of the team for the rest of the season.
Gallagher was not on the side-lines at Clones on Sunday as the Oak Leaf players won their second Ulster Senior title in-a-row.
On Friday, May 12, he had been forced to step back from his role after “serious allegations” were made against him by his former wife who said that she suffered domestic abuse during their 24 year relationship.
In a statement at that point, Mr. Gallagher said: “I have advised Derry GAA that I am stepping back as Derry Senior football manager with immediate effect.
“This decision is borne out of a desire to protect my children from the ongoing turmoil. They will always be my priority.”
Earlier, Cara Hunter who is an SDLP MLA for East Derry, told RTÉ that “it’s really important that he steps aside."
On Thursday, Mr. Gallagher released a statement referring to “a social media post by my estranged wife Nicola Gallagher in which she has made a number of very serious allegations against me.
“Those close to our family are well aware of the reasons for the breakdown of our marriage and the continued issues we have faced since that time.”
He added: “Allegations against me have been investigated and dealt with by the relevant authorities.”
In a statement, Derry GAA said: “Derry GAA condemns all forms of domestic violence. We encourage anyone who has experienced domestic violence to report it to the relevant authorities immediately.”
Ulster GAA said it “does not condone any form of domestic violence."
“We encourage and support anyone who has been a victim of such abuse not to suffer in silence but to avail of the statutory and voluntary support services that are available in the community.”
