Kilcoo have publicly denied reports that they are on the verge of appointing former Derry manager Rory Gallagher to their coaching team.
The Irish Examiner had reported earlier on Thursday that 'sources close to the club' said that Gallagher was in line to join the coaching team for the Down champions.
However, in news broken by the Irish News, Kilcoo have now denied that Gallagher will be taking over from Karl Lacey as manager at the club.
The Fermanagh native resigned as Derry manager on the eve of the 2023 Ulster final after his former wife made serious allegations of abuse against him, and he has not managed at inter-county level since.
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In September of that year, the Fermanagh man was subject to a 'temporary barring order' as a coach while an investigation was carried out and last February, the GAA's Disputes Resolution Authority gave him the all-clear to coach again.
The ex-Donegal boss had been working as a coach with Seamus 'Banty' McEnaney for the Corduff club in Monaghan, but despite reports of a return to the Oakleaf county following Mickey Harte's departure, the Ulster side appointed Paddy Tally instead.
It was then reported that Kildare champions Naas were going to appoint the Ulster man to join their coaching staff, only to make a U-turn on the decision following an email from GAA president Jarlath Burns who suggested that they reconsidered.
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Gallagher has threatened legal action against Burns for interfering with his future as a coach and requested that he retracted his comments, but the president responded to this matter on The Late Late Show.
“I don’t bear any ill-will against anybody. I hope he doesn’t (take legal proceedings) but I can’t retract anything I said in a private email to a club, and I don’t say that with any sense of ebullience or determination or ‘bring it on’.”
Kilcoo enjoyed two years of success under Karl Lacey, winning consecutive Down championships, and reaching the Ulster final where they were narrowly beaten by Tyrone's Errigal Ciaran.
The 2021 All-Ireland club champions are currently seeking a new management filling the departure of the Donegal legend, but it is now apparent that Rory Gallagher will not be the man to take his place.
