Rory Gallagher has been linked with a return to Derry following Mickey Harte’s departure as manager at the start of the week.

Gallagher has been out of county action after stepping down as Derry manager following domestic abuse allegations made by his estranged wife Nicola Gallagher.

He had been barred temporarily from coaching but the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) reversed the decision to ban him from the organisation after a hearing in February.

It was a disappointing season for the Oak Leaf County as they lost their grip on the Ulster Championship having won it back-to-back in 2022 and 2023, with Gallagher stepping down just before the 2023 final.

They suffered a 4-11 to 0-17 defeat at home to Donegal in the quarter-final earlier in the year as Jim McGuinness went on to lead his side to the trophy in his first year back as manager.

Derry went on to lose in the All-Ireland quarter-final to Kerry leading to Harte’s resignation after just one season in charge.

There has been speculation that Gallagher may be the man to replace his replacement with rumours that ex-Fermanagh player Ryan McCluskey could also be involved in the backroom team.