GAA communities in Roscommon and Galway mourn the passing of Don Connellan

Irish Examiner

a day ago

Former Roscommon footballer Don Connellan has passed away at the age of 51.
Don was part of the 2001 Roscommon team that won the Connacht SFC title. He made his inter-county debut in 1993 with the pinniacle of his Roscommon career coming when they overcame neighbours Mayo 1-12 to 1-10 to claim the Nestor Cup in 2001. Roscommon also defeated Galway in the semi-finals.
Don was a key figure with his club Kilmore helping them to county finals in 1998, '99 and 2001.
When he hung up his playing boots, Connellan moved to Galway where he managed Maigh Cuilinn leading them to county titles in 2020 and 2022 - where they went on to claim the Connacht title and were narrowly defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final. He guided the University of Galway to Sigerson Cup success in 2021 having picked up a medal as a player with the university in 1992.
Mhaigh Cuilinn GAA paid tribute to Don through a statement on their website.
"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 seven years.
"During his tenure as manager Don led us to a historic first County final in 2020, in 2022 we won the County and Connacht titles before a narrow loss in the All-Ireland semi-final.
"Under his guidance, he brought the team to the County 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.
"Never a man to give the media a soundbite, he avoided reporters like they were opponents on the field. Unassuming to the last, the odd shift change at work to accommodate training would not be mentioned, asking Don to say a few words at clubhouse celebrations after a County final win would be met with a glare and then delivering exactly what was asked for, 'a few words', nothing more.
"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.
"Away from the Seniors, he would frequently offer support and guidance to the upcoming teams and players.
"Away from the football, Don was a family man to the core, he liked nothing more than his time with Linda and the boys, and took great enjoyment seeing them play.
"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."
Don's home club in Roscommon Kilmore paid tribute to their "great friend and true Kilmore legend" through a statement on social media.
"Our club and our community are shocked and heartbroken at the devastating news of the sudden passing of our great friend and true Kilmore legend, Don Connellan.
"No words can truly do justice to what Don meant to Kilmore GAA. He represented our club with distinction over many years — as a player, coach, and manager — showing immense pride, honesty, integrity, and leadership both on and off the pitch.
"Don was a key player for us on countless occasions and played a vital role in the senior team that reached three County Senior Finals in 1998, 1999, and 2001, narrowly missing out on claiming the Senior championship title.
"Beyond the club, Don represented Roscommon at all age grades, culminating in the proud achievement of winning a Connacht Senior Championship medal in 2001. He also had the honour of representing Connacht in the Railway Cup and won a Sigerson Cup medal with UCG in 1992.
"Don's leadership and passion for the game continued in County Galway with Moycullen GAA, where he managed the senior team to two county titles and led them to an All-Ireland semi-final in 2022. He was also part of the management team with NUIG that won the Sigerson Cup in 2022.
"Away from the GAA, Don was an exceptional person — a loyal friend to so many and someone who lived his life with the utmost integrity. His passing leaves a void that we, as friends and a community, will struggle to come to terms with in the days, months, and years ahead.
"But perhaps Don's greatest quality was the love he had for his family and home. From his childhood in Clooncoose to his life in Moycullen, home and family meant everything to him. Nothing brought him more joy than his regular visits back to Kilmore to see his parents — his late father Donal and his mother Nellie — his brothers Adrian and David, the wider Connellan family, and his many friends in Kilmore.
"Don loved Kilmore, and Kilmore loved Don.
"For the past two decades, Moycullen became Don's new home, where he lived with the three people he loved so much — his wife Linda and his sons Eoin and Conor. He cherished life in Moycullen and was warmly embraced by the Clancy family and the wider community.
"As a club and community, we are devastated by Don's loss. But our grief is nothing compared to the unimaginable pain that Linda, Eoin, Conor, Nellie, Adrian, David, and the extended Clancy and Connellan families are feeling. We extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to you all.
"In the days, weeks, and months ahead, we will do everything we can to bring some comfort and light during this dark time.
"Don, you will be deeply missed by all of us who were lucky enough to know you.
"Rest easy, Don — you were one of the best."