Disappointed Donegal boss Rory Gallagher shakes hands with Galway manager Kevin Walsh

RORY Gallagher remains the man to lead Donegal forward, according to the county’s public relations officer Ed Byrne.

Gallagher received a three-year extension to his contract last season, with an option for a further year.

Byrne says his position isn’t under threat despite a disappointing championship campaign. Their season ended in a chastening 4-17 to 0-14 qualifier defeat to Galway last Saturday.

The county board spokesman said: “We haven’t met as an executive since the Galway game. The county committee approved a new deal with Rory with the goal of making a new team. On reflection, we had a huge league which may have led us to believe that we could rattle Ulster in our first year of having a new team together.

“As executive officers and supporters, perhaps we put the pressure on him. Once we had the good league, we expected great things within 12 months of the team actually coming together.

“It was a hard day against Galway. To be fair to Rory, he did forewarn us that there would be tough days ahead. I’d say no-one took it harder than himself. We support him and the official line is that he has a four-year contract.

“The only reason Rory would leave is if he makes that choice himself, and he’s made of sterner stuff.”