Funeral of former Roscommon footballer Don Connellan heard he valued loyalty more than anything in sport, work and life

Irish Independent

4 days ago

Large crowds, including several members of An Garda Síochána, bid farewell to Mr Connellan at his funeral in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Moycullen.
The former garda was widely mourned in his native Roscommon and his adopted home of Moycullen when he passed away suddenly earlier this week.
His funeral Mass heard that Mr Connellan had been on a fishing trip with his sons the day before he died. The 51-year-old had been battling an illness which forced him to step down as manager of the Moycullen GAA senior team after a successful six-year stint which saw the club win two senior county titles and a Connacht senior title.
Before settling in Moycullen 20 years ago, Mr Connellan enjoyed a decorated football career with Roscommon. Lining out mainly at midfield, he represented the county at every age grade and was part of the team that captured a Connacht title in 2001. He also won a Sigerson Cup with UCG in 1992 and was involved with NUI Galway's 2022 Sigerson Cup team.
He was also a revered figure with his native club, Kilmore GAA, representing them in three senior county finals.
His brother-in-law, Paul Clancy, described him as 'a great man' and paid tribute to the qualities he displayed as a father, a husband, a manager, a footballer and a garda throughout his life.
'Throughout the multiple stories and conversations we've shared in the last few days and hours about Don, 'loyalty' has been the constant and most used value that has come up,' said the former Galway footballer, who managed the Moycullen senior team alongside Mr Connellan.
'Don valued loyalty more than anything, in sport and in work and in life. His colleagues here today from the gardaí will attest that he didn't suffer fools, and they had to earn his loyalty back, and it was often slow and it could be an arduous process. Once you did though, you were rewarded with a man who would do anything for you in return.
'When things were at their worst, colleagues would surmise, 'What will we do? Ring Don. He will know what to do.'
As a footballer, Mr Connellan was remembered as someone who led by example and demanded high standards of his colleagues.
His brother-in-law described him as 'a true exponent' of high fielding who could kick frees and score from play with a 'sweet right boot'.
'His athleticism and physicality were that of a warrior, and I was on the receiving end of it a few times myself,' remarked Mr Clancy.
He described his relationship with his wife, Linda, as one of 'humour, loyalty and love'.
'The pictures of Don, Linda and the boys in Drumaveg say it all. For a man who never smiled in any GAA photo, these photos show a man at his happiest,' he said.
'Linda, he loved you with all his heart. He was a devoted husband, and you were his rock.'
A family photo, a prayer book, a football, his Kilmore jersey, his garda badge, a golf club and a fishing tackle box were brought forward as symbols of his life during his funeral Mass.
The family photo symbolised his love for his wife Linda and sons Eoin and Conor, who were 'his world' and 'his greatest pride and joy'.
Comparing them to their sons, Mr Connellan's brother-in-law, Paul Clancy, described them as: 'Polite, handsome, tall, athletic, witty and sensitive. They are young men who will carry their father's courage and strength into their lives. The values these boys got from Don will serve them well and give them strength when obstacles arrive.
'The fish they caught on the lake last Sunday together were, perhaps, metaphors for their lives: be patient, be brave, go after something if you want it,' he added.
Mr Clancy concluded by saying that Roscommon and Galway were 'united as one in honouring a fallen hero'.
Quoting from the song 'The West's Awake, he said: ''Alas and well, may Éireann weep, for Connacht lies in slumber deep'. Goodbye Don, and God bless. Go ndéana Dia trocaire ar a anam.'
The prayer book symbolised his deep Christian faith, which was described as 'a quiet but steady presence in his life'.
'His belief gave him strength and guided him through both joyful and difficult times,' said his sister-in-law, Johanna Clancy.
The football and Kilmore jersey represented lifelong dedication to the GAA while his garda badge symbolised a 'long and dedicated career in An Garda Síochána'.
The funeral heard that Mr Connellan served with 'integrity, compassion and commitment, earning the deep respect and friendship of his colleagues in the force'.
The golf club symbolised a new hobby he had taken up during his illness while the fishing tackle box represented a fishing trip he enjoyed with his sons the day before he died.
Fr Martin Whelan, Parish Priest of Moycullen, cited the lyrics of David Bowie's song 'Heroes' in paying tribute to Mr Connellan, describing him as 'our hero'.
'I firmly believe that the greatest task of any father, coach, friend or brother, is to instil courage. It is one thing to be brave, to be courageous, it is quite another thing to encourage, to make heroes, to convince people,' said Fr Whelan, before uttering the Latin expression 'noli timere', meaning 'do not be afraid'.
Predeceased by his father Donal, Don Connellan is survived by his wife Linda and their two sons, Eoin and Conor, his mother Ellen (Nellie), brothers Adrian and David and extended family. His coffin was draped in the Irish tricolour before he was laid to rest in the new graveyard in Moycullen.