Tributes paid to late Waterford health instructor Mark McConnell – ‘a gem of a man'

Irish Independent

6 days ago

Mr McConnell, of Tubird, Cappoquin, died unexpectedly on Friday, July 18.
He was the dad of Érin, Fionn, Fiadh and Caragh, son of Ray and Sylvia (nee Mason), brother of Kate Ahearne, Sally and Jane McConnell, and Mark's partner was Mary O'Neill.
Mr McConnell will lie in repose at Aidan Walsh and Sons Funeral Home, Cappoquin, on Monday evening, July 21, from 5pm to 7pm. Funeral mass will take place on Tuesday, July 22, at 12 noon in St. Mary's Church Cappoquin, followed by burial in St Declan's Cemetery, Cappoquin.
BUDO self-defence and kickboxing has announced that, due to the untimely passing of Mr McConnell, they will be closing the gym on Monday and Tuesday as a mark of respect for Mark and his family. They will be reopening again on Wednesday, July 23.
'Mark has transformed hundreds of lives within Dungarvan, as well as the whole of county Waterford, both mentally and physically,' said a spokesperson.
'He has been a loud voice for men's mental health and wellbeing and has always had people's interest at heart. You will be terribly missed. Rest in peace my friend.'
Portlaw Camogie Club said everyone in the club 'are deeply saddened to have learned of the sudden and unexpected passing of Mark McConnell.
'Mark was a valued member of our Intermediate Camogie Team, working with the team this season as their strength and conditioning coach. Mark has made a huge impact on the team and will be deeply missed by all the girls and management.
"Portlaw Camogie Club would like to offer their deepest sympathy and condolences to Mark's Family and Friends at this extremely difficult time.'
Dungarvan Cycling Club said it would like to extend its condolences to the McConnell's family on the passing of their son Mark. 'Mark was a friend of the club and a sponsor for a number of years and his gym logo still adorns our club kit. Condolences to his family, friends and the many more that knew him through his work.'
A spokesperson for Lismore Camogie Senior team said they were very lucky to have Mark as part of their backroom team for a couple of years where he took the girls for strength and conditioning in Tourin and his Dungarvan premises.
'He was involved when they won the County Senior title in 2017 and went on to win the Munster title the same year. He loved wearing the black and amber on match day. Mark had a great knowledge of his profession and the girls enjoyed these tough sessions. There was plenty of laughs, hard work, eye rolling - from Mark - was all guaranteed,' said a spokesperson.
Roanmore GAA and Camogie Club expressed their 'sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends' of Mark McConnell. 'Mark began his involvement with our adult teams five years ago as our strength and conditioning coach and brought with him a wealth of knowledge and professionalism to our club.
'Mark and his work will always be part of our clubs history and we will strive to continue on the path of physical preparation Mark instilled in our teams. Rest easy Mark from your friends in Roanmore and thanks for your efforts to continuously improve Roanmore GAA and Camogie Club.'
Freelance professional photographer, Noel Browne, said on Sunday: 'I woke up this morning to hear the terrible news about the death of this gem of a man, Mark McConnell from Cappoquin.
'On this All-Ireland Sunday where we are all looking forward to this great sporting occasion. I however will be thinking more about this man. Some deaths really hit home and this is just one of them, what a loss.
'He was a man that met life head on, he tried to deal with difficult situations in his life by working on himself, helping others and being a great father. He gave so much time in helping others cope with life through sport, health and fitness.
'He was the strength and conditioning coach at a lots of different clubs and anyone involved with those clubs will remember him as a dedicated and great addition to their backroom teams,' added Mr Browne.
He will be mourned by his children, father, mother, grandmother Joan and grandson of the late Dick Mason, James and Grace McConnell, brother-in-law Shane Ahearne, Sally's partner Gordon and Jane's partner Alex, nieces Lily-Mae and Zoey, nephews Darragh and Callan, the mother of Mark's children Jemma O'Donnell, aunts, uncles, relatives, neighbours and many friends.