GAA community saddened by tragic death of former inter-county footballer, 51, as tributes pour in
THE GAA community are in mourning as Roscommon legend Don Connellan has passed away aged 51.
Connellan donned the primrose and blue jersey of Roscommon for many years whilst working as a guard.
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Connellan was a staple of the Roscommon team in the 1990s and early 2000s
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The Moycullen manager was a very successful player and coach
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He was one of Roscommon's most skilful and graceful players of the 90s
He made his debut in 1993 for the Rossies in a 1–12 to 1–10 victory over Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon in the Connacht semi-final.
The Kilmore native played a key role in Roscommon's Connacht title victory in 2001 as they defeated Mayo 2-10 to 1-12 in the final to win the Rossies' 20th title.
Connellan also reached the county senior Championship final on three occasions in 1998, 1999 and 2001 with his club Kilmore GAA.
Following the end of his playing career, Donnellan took up management.
Don moved to Galway and took up a management role with Moycullen GAA.
In his tenure with the club they won two Galway senior Championships and were also crowned Connacht champions in 2022.
He also joint-managed University of Galway to Sigerson Cup glory in 2021, having won it as a player himself in 1992 with UCG.
Moycullen GAA payed a touching tribute to their former manager who made history with the club, leading them to their first Galway senior football Championship win in 2020 and a second in 2022.
They released a statement saying: "It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of our great friend Don Connellan.
"Don was involved with our Senior team as a Selector and then a Manager over the course of 7 years.
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"During his tenure as manager Don led us to a historic first County Final in 2020, in 2022 we won the County and Connacht Tiles before a narrow loss in the All Ireland Semi Final.
"Under his guidance, he brought the team to the Country Final again in 2023 before stepping aside to concentrate on health issues.
"While the achievements and titles are widely recognised and remarkable for our club, it is the unseen and unselfish work that we will also remember.
"The nights at training, the countless phone calls and messages, organising players, pitches, matches, physios, etc, but Don went beyond that.
"He had a remarkable ability to manage a group while also looking after the individual. He took great satisfaction in seeing a youngster breaking through and was always on hand to support and guide.
"Don wasn't for the limelight, but behind it, he was all in, on and off the pitch, an excellent manager and coach who was fiercely loyal to his team, his friends, his club, a great competitor; he simply loved the game.
"Leading a group of ambitious players has its challenges. Don had the skillset to navigate whatever came his way in his own quiet manner.
"A native of Kilmore in County Roscommon, Don excelled at football for both Club and County. Maigh Cuilinn was home for many years with Linda and the boys – Eoin & Conor.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with them and the wider Clancy & Connellan Families. He loved his football, but his family was his world. Rest easy Don, you will be missed."
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