Joe Brolly has revealed that the Derry Ulster winning championship team of 1998 would have boycotted this afternoon's provincial final if Rory Gallagher had remained in his role as Derry senior football manager.
Gallagher released a statement on Friday evening announcing that he would be "stepping back" from his role with immediate effect following allegations of domestic abuse made against him by his ex-wife Nicola Gallagher.
"This decision is borne out of a desire to protect my children from the ongoing turmoil. They will always be my priority," he said.
Writing in his Sunday Independent column this morning Brolly said that the jubilee team of 1998, who are due to be presented to the crowd at half-time of this afternon's Ulster final between Derry and Armagh, had earlier in the week agreed not to take part in the usual formalities.
"Earlier in the week, when it looked as though Rory Gallagher was going to be on the sideline today, the group decided that we would not go through with it," he writes.
"How could we have? Smiling, waving, blowing kisses?
"The GAA symbolises our community. It is what we are. When Nicola Gallagher put her harrowing, terrifying story online, Rory had to step down. He has custody of three small children and their protection is all of our priority."
Nicola Gallagher also features in the Sunday Independent today as she speaks to journalist Rodney Edwards.
In the interview she reveals how her father Gerry Rooney sent an email to management of Derry GAA on May 25th 2022.
Mr Rooney did not receive a reply.
Derry GAA did not comment yesterday when asked why action wasn't taken when the email was received. They directed the Sunday Independent to a statement issued on Friday in which they said they condemn "all forms of domestic violence."
“Words from the GAA are not enough,” Nicola says.
Joe Brolly reacts to email sent by Gerry Rooney
Joe Brolly says that the fact action was not taken after the email was received is "humiliating" for him.
"This (the email) was never disclosed to the county board members. I never thought this would happen with us. Why? To win some football matches? To get a f**king promotion?
"I spoke to several board members yesterday morning who are equally enraged. They had no idea this had been done. They were unaware of the allegations until they read Nicola’s anguished Facebook posts last week."
Derry take on Armagh in the Ulster senior football championship final in Clones this afternoon. Ciaran Meenagh will now take charge of Derry.
SEE ALSO: Pat Gilroy Reveals The Advantage Dublin Have Lost Over Other Counties In Recent Years
