Rory Gallagher

[statto]

Just wait til the LGFA get their feet under the table, you ain't seen nothing yet

I suspect you could be right. was all for the merger myself but think it could now end up being more trouble than it's worth.

Me too.  If the LGFA was part of the GAA there would have been a whole song and dance outside the Ulster final between Derry and Armagh a few years ago. 

[Brendan]

I've never paid much heed to the LGFA but everything I seem to hear about them is negative which is worrying for this merger, is it just a Derry problem or nationally?

[bogball88]

The question I have for Naas is this. They are going for 5 in a row in Kildare and have the same manager on board this year. Surely they are good enough to have another successful year without the need to pay for Gallagher to come in, along with the negative publicity this would involve?

They probably think RG will give them an extra push for Leinster/AI honours. 

Whilst they have been beaten by each of the 4 previous Leinster winners bar a 3 point defeat to newcomers Cuala this year, they haven't really come close. 7, 9 and 7 point defeats

[bogball88]

Rory Gallagher has accused the GAA president Jarlath Burns of trying to sabotage his career after he intervened in his potential appointment at Naas GAA.

In a statement to BBC News NI, Mr Gallagher said Mr Burns' actions were "unprecedented" and "misguided" and threatened legal action if the remarks were not retracted.

The former Derry county football manager was offered a coaching role with Naas but the offer was then withdrawn after details of the appointment were made public at the weekend.

It later emerged Mr Burns had contacted the club to express his concern at the proposed appointment.

Mr Gallagher stepped down as Derry manager in 2023 just weeks before the team played in the Ulster Senior Football Final.

It followed allegations of abuse made by his estranged wife Nicola Gallagher, which he denied.

When news of the appointment at Naas appeared in the media, the association's president spoke to the Naas club chairman before sending an email which was then read at a meeting of party officers at which it was decided not to proceed with Mr Gallagher's appointment.

In the email, which has been seen by the BBC, Mr Burns said he felt compelled to share his perspective given the "potential implications for Naas GAA and the wider association".

He said decisions made by the club "reverberate far beyond your immediate community" and send a "message about the values we uphold and the standards we set for our members and supporters".

He also warned of the implications for the GAA's Game Changer Initiative which was launched in November to challenge the "social and cultural norms that contribute to domestic, sexual and gender based violence".
Jarlath Burns has grey short hair and wears glasses with a grey frame. He is wearing a grey suit, white shirt and burgundy tie.
Image caption,

Mr Burns said employing Mr Gallagher could attract negative attention and criticism for the club

After Mr Gallagher resigned as Derry manager, he was "temporarily debarred" by the GAA in September 2023 when an independent panel was asked to investigate the claims made by his estranged wife.

Mr Gallagher successfully challenged that debarment in February 2024 and a statement from his solicitors in September said there was no "legal impediment" to prevent him returning to a senior role in the game.

"I have engaged with every procedure available to me. The PPS have issued two separate decisions finding that I have no case to answer," Mr Gallagher added in his statement to the BBC.

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

"It seems that social media commentary and controversy now equates to a license for presidential intervention."

In the email to Naas GAA, Mr Burns said the "appointment of Rory Gallagher given the allegations that have been made public, risks undermining the principles of the Game Changer Initiative and the positive work being done across the GAA".

He added: "The controversy surrounding his personal life has created significant division and concern within the wider GAA community.

"Such a decision by Naas GAA could have far reaching consequences."

Mr Burns added the appointment would likely "polarise opinion" and create unnecessary tension within the club and he questioned the "confusing message" it would send to younger members.

In conclusion the GAA president said he had "no authority to dictate club decisions" but he had a "responsibility to advocate" for what he believed was in the best interests of the association and its members.

"By choosing not to proceed with this appointment you will be making a statement about the principles that define Naas GAA," he added.

Mr Gallagher has called on the GAA president to withdraw his remarks.

"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," he said.

"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."


Surely he means volunteer?

[johnnycool]

no legal action DOES NOT mean no risk

An interesting article about safeguarding in general and the GAA specifically.

[Milltown Row2]

The biggest losers in all of this are the kids that he is looking after, if they are at school age and this is all going on in the background it generally ends up with causing unnecessary grief for them..

Very sad state of affairs being aired across social media and local media

 

[Saffron_sam20]

Rory Gallagher has accused the GAA president Jarlath Burns of trying to sabotage his career after he intervened in his potential appointment at Naas GAA.

In a statement to BBC News NI, Mr Gallagher said Mr Burns' actions were "unprecedented" and "misguided" and threatened legal action if the remarks were not retracted.

The former Derry county football manager was offered a coaching role with Naas but the offer was then withdrawn after details of the appointment were made public at the weekend.

It later emerged Mr Burns had contacted the club to express his concern at the proposed appointment.

Mr Gallagher stepped down as Derry manager in 2023 just weeks before the team played in the Ulster Senior Football Final.

It followed allegations of abuse made by his estranged wife Nicola Gallagher, which he denied.

When news of the appointment at Naas appeared in the media, the association's president spoke to the Naas club chairman before sending an email which was then read at a meeting of party officers at which it was decided not to proceed with Mr Gallagher's appointment.

In the email, which has been seen by the BBC, Mr Burns said he felt compelled to share his perspective given the "potential implications for Naas GAA and the wider association".

He said decisions made by the club "reverberate far beyond your immediate community" and send a "message about the values we uphold and the standards we set for our members and supporters".

He also warned of the implications for the GAA's Game Changer Initiative which was launched in November to challenge the "social and cultural norms that contribute to domestic, sexual and gender based violence".
Jarlath Burns has grey short hair and wears glasses with a grey frame. He is wearing a grey suit, white shirt and burgundy tie.
Image caption,

Mr Burns said employing Mr Gallagher could attract negative attention and criticism for the club

After Mr Gallagher resigned as Derry manager, he was "temporarily debarred" by the GAA in September 2023 when an independent panel was asked to investigate the claims made by his estranged wife.

Mr Gallagher successfully challenged that debarment in February 2024 and a statement from his solicitors in September said there was no "legal impediment" to prevent him returning to a senior role in the game.

"I have engaged with every procedure available to me. The PPS have issued two separate decisions finding that I have no case to answer," Mr Gallagher added in his statement to the BBC.

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

"It seems that social media commentary and controversy now equates to a license for presidential intervention."

In the email to Naas GAA, Mr Burns said the "appointment of Rory Gallagher given the allegations that have been made public, risks undermining the principles of the Game Changer Initiative and the positive work being done across the GAA".

He added: "The controversy surrounding his personal life has created significant division and concern within the wider GAA community.

"Such a decision by Naas GAA could have far reaching consequences."

Mr Burns added the appointment would likely "polarise opinion" and create unnecessary tension within the club and he questioned the "confusing message" it would send to younger members.

In conclusion the GAA president said he had "no authority to dictate club decisions" but he had a "responsibility to advocate" for what he believed was in the best interests of the association and its members.

"By choosing not to proceed with this appointment you will be making a statement about the principles that define Naas GAA," he added.

Mr Gallagher has called on the GAA president to withdraw his remarks.

"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," he said.

"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."


Surely he means volunteer?

He is 100% right to issue that statement, fair play to him. I don't like how he acts on the sidelines but there's been a complete witch hunt for him and it's surely taking a Toal on him and his family. Let the man get on with his life. Many people in the GAA have been convicted of things, served their time and are free to get back at it but just because RG is high profile he's not.

[Wildweasel74]

So I take it any gaa member convicted of assault, GAA safeguarding coming into play means that player shouldn't be playing? Over to you Kyle!!

[Saffron_sam20]

So I take it any gaa member convicted of assualt, GAA safeguarding coming into play means that player shouldn't be playing? Over to you Kyle!!

My thoughts exactly.

[Wildweasel74]

From the Irish News article. I take it he emailed the Derry county Board at some stage last summer also.

[Dubh driocht]

I think people should carefully read the report on BBC on the sentencing of Stuart Hogg (a former Scottish rugby international) today. Given the GAA has signed up to address violence against women and girls, Jarlath has acted appropriately.  Necessary, legal and proportionate. I look forward to the threatened legal challenge. Plus...it wasn't a solo run from Jarlath. The Naas club should indicate if they received any communication from members, supporters and sponsors.

[Wildweasel74]

How's it legal? Stuart Hogg was convicted. So man on man violence is ok, but we barring all domestic abuse proofed or unproofed. What his stance on illegal drug taking in the organisation. Anybody convicted barred? Can any former convicted IRA/INLA men have any involvement with gaa clubs?

[toby47]

This is getting messier by the week.

I can see both sides of the arguments. In general, Not convicted = not guilty = should be a free man. Meaning if a club/county thinks he comes with too much heat & don't want him that's OK, and their decision to make, but it shouldn't get to the stage of higher powers stepping in.

However Gallagher is a sc*mbag. Speak to ones that know him, grew up with him or even know him from over the years, you will hear the same. I would happily see him never get another coaching role. And I wouldn't say that about many coaches. Ask his own brother Ronan why they fell out for years, he's a bad person. I wouldn't want to see him rewarded. Again, that's my own view. And can understand others who think he hasn't been convicted so should be free to go to whatever club/county he wants.

[Saffron_sam20]

I think people should carefully read the report on BBC on the sentencing of Stuart Hogg (a former Scottish rugby international) today. Given the GAA has signed up to address violence against women and girls, Jarlath has acted appropriately.  Necessary, legal and proportionate. I look forward to the threatened legal challenge. Plus...it wasn't a solo run from Jarlath. The Naas club should indicate if they received any communication from members, supporters and sponsors.

I'll compare with the RG sentencing when it comes out.

[Saffron_sam20]

This is getting messier by the week.

I can see both sides of the arguments. In general, Not convicted = not guilty = should be a free man. Meaning if a club/county thinks he comes with too much heat & don't want him that's OK, and their decision to make, but it shouldn't get to the stage of higher powers stepping in.

However Gallagher is a sc*mbag. Speak to ones that know him, grew up with him or even know him from over the years, you will hear the same. I would happily see him never get another coaching role. And I wouldn't say that about many coaches. Ask his own brother Ronan why they fell out for years, he's a bad person. I wouldn't want to see him rewarded. Again, that's my own view. And can understand others who think he hasn't been convicted so should be free to go to whatever club/county he wants.

I agree he's not a nice person, but we have plenty of sc*mbags in the GAA who are free to go about their business that's my main issue, it's a witch-hunt, the fact RG is a d*ck just makes the pile on easier