A former Derry All-Ireland winner has said Rory Gallagher should not be selected as the next manager of the Oakleaf county.
Gary Coleman has vowed to boycott future Derry games if the Fermanagh native is reappointed after he emerged as the forerunner for a return to the prized post.
Mr Gallagher stepped down as Derry manager in the days before the Ulster final in May last year after his estranged wife Nicola made allegations of domestic abuse.
She claimed she was the victim of physical abuse for more than 24 years and that GAA chiefs in Derry and Fermanagh were told, but took no action.
No charges have ever been brought and in a statement issued through his solicitor last year, Mr Gallagher said the “allegations against me have been investigated and dealt with by the relevant authorities”.
Mr Coleman’s intervention comes as GAA authorities in Derry continue their hunt to find a replacement for Mickey Harte, who stood down earlier this year after just one season in charge.
It is understood plans by Derry County Board to reappoint Mr Gallagher were scuppered last year after he was “temporarily debarred” by the Ulster Council.
In February the Disputes Resolution Authority lifted the ban, clearing the way for Mr Gallagher to return to management.
A member of Derry’s historic 1993 All-Ireland winning team, Mr Coelman is the son of former Oakleaf boss Eamonn Coleman, who guided the county to national glory over three decades ago.
While the former All-Star and four-time National League winner expressed no view on the validity of the allegations against Mr Gallagher, he did voice concern over speculation linking him with a return.
“I believe that Rory Gallagher should not be appointed Dery manager because of all the allegations,” he said.
“And it sets a bad example - and have we no morals in Derry?
“I don’t’ care if he’s the best candidate for the job in their opinion, he is not the person for the job in my eyes.”
Mr Coleman vowed to stay away from future Oakleaf matches if Mr Gallagher is reappointed and pleaded with the county board not to do so.
“I won’t go to another Derry match if he is manager.
“An All-Ireland with Rory Gallagher as manager under these circumstances is not worth an All-Ireland in my eyes.
“We have to have morals, and we have to have principles.”
Mr Coleman said controversy over the appointment could cause division in his native county.
“It’s hard enough to try and win things against the opposition but when you are not united - you need everybody united, players, management, supporters, everybody needs to be united,” he said.
“And our county board needs to do the right thing for all the young boys and girls out there in my opinion - I don’t care who that annoys to tell you the truth.”
Mr Coleman believes some in Derry have been blinded by the pursuit for an elusive second All-Ireland title.
“People are getting carried away, people think ‘this is the man to bring us to an All-Ireland’,” he said.
“Is it worth an All-Ireland with (him) in charge, really?
“They have no morals if they put him charge.”
Mr Coleman said it is inevitable that if Mr Gallagher is reappointed that verbal abuse will follow on the sidelines during games.
“Would you want that, no, your children would be asking ‘what’s all that about’?”
He questioned the message that would be sent out if the reappointment is made.
“What does it say to Derry camogie ladies, Derry football ladies’ players, supporters, children, what does it say to them?”
During last year’s Ulster final between Derry and Armagh members of the winning 1998 Derry team were brought onto the Clones pitch at half time to mark the 25th anniversary.
Days earlier it has been announced that Mr Gallagher would not be on the sideline due to the unfolding controversy.
During the half-time presentation Mr Coleman wore a white ribbon.
“The ribbon was to do with violence against women,” he said.
“I wanted to show that overall, I was against violence against women, that’s why I wore it that day onto the pitch.”
Last year the Public Prosecution Service said it received two investigation files from the PSNI in January and June 2022 and it was determined there was not enough evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction in relation to any individual.
The Ulster Council later established a review to examine the GAA’s response to adult safeguarding practice when concerns are raised about domestic violence and abuse.
Details of recommendations contained in the McGibbon Safeguarding Review have not been made public, although a special task force has been set up by GAA president Jarlath Burns to implement its findings.
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