Former Derry manager Rory Gallagher has been appointed to a coaching position with Kildare football champions Naas.
A brief statement issued by the Kildare outfit on Sunday afternoon confirmed Gallagher's arrival at the club.
A Naas statement read: “Joe Murphy has been re-appointed as Naas’ Senior Director of Football for 2025.
“Joe has confirmed that his management team will consist of Rory Gallagher, Padraic Crippen, Kevin Martin, Martin Sweeney and Fionn Higgins.”
Gallagher had been linked with a return to the role of senior football manager at Derry in the autumn but Oak Leaf District ultimately chose Paddy Talley as Mickey Harte's successor.
The Fermanagh man powered Derry to a first Ulster title in 24 years in 2022, but resigned in the run-up to a county final appearance 12 months later after his estranged wife Nicola Gallagher made allegations of abuse, which he denied.
He was then “temporarily banned” by the GAA in September 2023 when an independent panel was asked to investigate the allegations.
The former Donegal and Fermanagh manager successfully appealed that delisting decision last February, and a statement from his lawyers in September said there was no “legal impediment” preventing him from returning to a senior role in the game.
“Our client intends to return to interprovincial management in the near future,” the statement continued.
“Two separate investigations have – rightly – led to prosecutors' decisions not to prosecute. Mr. Gallagher has not been charged with a single offence.”
Gallagher will take up a coaching role with Monaghan Corduff in 2024.
Naas have won four consecutive Kildare senior football titles and reached the Leinster club finals in 2021 and 2023 when they lost on both occasions to Kilmacud Crocs.
Murphy has been in charge of Naas in the club's last three Kildare title wins.