Rory Gallagher has threatened Jarlath Burns with legal action if the GAA president doesn’t withdraw remarks made when he intervened in Gallagher’s appointment as Naas coach last weekend.

The former Derry manager has accused Burns of trying to sabotage his career after he had contacted Naas to express his concern at their plans to add Gallagher to Joe Murphy's management team.

The move has fallen through and it has since emerged that Burns had emailed the club, something which Gallager said was “without precedent” and he added that he’d take legal action if Burns doesn’t withdraw his remarks.

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The Fermanagh native was most recently coaching with Corduff in Monaghan and hasn't managed since stepping down as Derry manager ahead of the 2023 Ulster final against Armagh.

That came in the wake of allegations of domestic abuse made against him on social media by his estranged wife, Nicola.

Gallagher denied the allegations and was cleared by the GAA authorities last February to return to coaching and management.

He has also used his latest statement to “categorically deny the allegations levelled against me” while he was repeatedly linked with a return to the Derry job following the departure of Mickey Harte before the Oak Leafers appointed Paddy Tally in November.

In a statement issued through his solicitor, Gallagher said: "It seems that social media commentary and controversy now equates to a licence for presidential intervention.

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

“Such action is not only without precedent, it seeks to enter into an authoritarian world where due process and procedure count for nothing.

“I await with interest to see if Mr Burns takes such direct personal action against others who find their private life the subject of social media commentary and hyperbole.

“The chilling effect of these actions cannot be greater. Mr Burns’ actions not only undermine the very principles of fairness and equality to which the GAA is premised, but it sends a clear message that such dictatorial action can and will be taken, when the president sees fit.

“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 I do however ask that this action is formally withdrawn and the contents of the correspondence is retracted.

“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 manager in the years ahead.”

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