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Former Derry football manager Rory Gallagher has been appointed to a coaching position with Kildare senior club champions Naas.<\/b><\/p>\n
A brief statement from the Kildare outfit on Sunday afternoon confirmed Gallagher’s arrival at the club.<\/p>\n
The Naas statement said: “Joe Murphy has been reappointed into the role of Naas senior football manager for 2025. <\/p>\n
“Joe has confirmed that his management team will consist of Rory Gallagher, Padraic Cribben, Kevin Martin, Martin Sweeney and Fionn Higgins.”<\/p>\n
Gallagher was linked with a return to the Derry senior football manager’s position in the autumn but the Oak Leaf County eventually chose Paddy Tally as Mickey Harte’s successor.<\/p>\n
The Fermanagh man managed Derry to a first Ulster title in 24 years in 2022 but stood down in the build-up to the county’s provincial final appearance 12 months later after allegations of abuse were made by his estranged wife Nicola Gallagher, which he denied.<\/p>\n
He was then “temporarily debarred” by the GAA in September 2023 when an independent panel was asked to investigate claims.<\/p>\n
The former Donegal and Fermanagh manager successfully challenged that disbarment last February, 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.<\/p>\n
“Our client fully intends to return to inter county management in the near future,” the statement continued.<\/p>\n
“Two separate investigations have led – rightly – to decisions by the PPS not to prosecute. Mr Gallagher has not been charged with a single offence.”<\/p>\n
Gallagher had a coaching role with Monaghan club Corduff in 2024.<\/p>\n
Naas have won four successive Kildare Football titles and reached the Leinster Club Finals in 2021 and 2023 when they were defeated on both occasions by Kilmacud Crokes.<\/p>\n
Murphy has been in charge at Naas for the club’s last three Kildare title triumphs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n