Derry GAA manager Rory Gallagher from Fermanagh has tonight (Friday) said he is stepping back from the role with immediate effect, two days before the County was due to contest the Ulster final in front of 30,000 fans in Clones.

It comes after "serious allegations" made by his wife in a social media post earlier this week.

Nicola Gallagher alleged she suffered domestic abuse over a 24-year period.

In a statement released tonight, Mr. Gallagher said: "This decision is borne out of a desire to protect my children from the ongoing turmoil."

"They will always be my priority," he added. 

Derry GAA said Ciaran Meenagh will now take on the role of senior football manager.

Earlier today, East Derry MLA Cara Hunter had asked the manager to step aside given the serious issues raised by the allegations.

On Thursday, Mr Gallagher, who previously managed Donegal and Fermanagh, said that allegations against him had been "investigated and dealt with by the relevant authorities".

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said on Thursday it investigated two separate incidents and issued files to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

The PPS has said it received two investigation files from the PSNI in January and June 2022, and that all available evidence was considered in line with the PPS code for prosecution.

It said it was determined there was insufficient evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction for any offence in relation to any individual.

The PPS said the decisions not to prosecute were issued in January and September last year.