Galway's Moycullen GAA mourn passing of 'fiercely loyal' managerial legend
Former Roscommon Connacht Championship winner Don Connellan, who guided the Galway club to the 2022 county and provincial titles, passed away yesterday aged just 51.
During a seven year spell as selector and manager Connellan - a Garda - had previously helped them to their first ever senior decider in 2020.
Connellan brought Moycullen - Galway captain Sean Kelly's club - back to the County Final in 2023 before stepping aside due to health issues.
He also helped NUI Galway to a Sigerson Cup title in 2021, alongside former Mayo player Maurice Sheridan.
At club level, Connellan was a key player on the Kilmore teams that reached county Roscommon Senior Finals in 1998 and 2001, while he won a Sigerson Cup medal with University College Galway in 1992 as a player.
In a statement the Moycullen club hailed a man 'who loved his football, but his family was his world.'
They also praised Connellan as a man who shunned the limelight but was 'fiercely loyal' and 'a great competitor.'
The Moycullen statement read: 'It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of our great friend Don Connellan.
'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 and Conor.
'Our thoughts and prayers are with them and the wider Clancy and Connellan Families.
'He loved his football, but his family was his world. Rest easy Don. You will be missed.'
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Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Funeral of former Roscommon footballer Don Connellan heard he valued loyalty more than anything in sport, work and life
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.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Irish Independent
Funeral details announced for former Roscommon footballer Don Connellan
The 51-year-old father-of-two passed away suddenly on Monday following an illness. His passing has been greeted with shock and sadness throughout Galway and Roscommon. The former garda will repose at his home in Drumaveg, Moycullen, County Galway on Wednesday, August 6, from 4 pm to 8 pm. His requiem Mass will take place on Thursday August 7tat 12 noon to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Moycullen. He will be laid to rest immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Predeceased by his father Donal, Don Connellan is survived by his wife Linda and their two sons, Eoin and Conor. He is also sadly missed by his mother Ellen (Nellie), brothers Adrian and David; mother-in-law Mary Clancy; his sisters-in-law Jacinta, Catherine, Ailish, Johanna, Laura, and brothers-in-law Paul, Gearoid and Gareth; his nieces and nephews Rachael, Cathal, Lilly, Jamie, Lily, Luke, Ellen, Finn, Mason and Cooper; aunts and uncles, cousins, the extended Connellan and Clancy families; his colleagues and friends in An Garda Siochana and the GAA community in Kilmore, Roscommon, Moycullen and Galway. Moycullen GAA and Kilmore GAA have paid glowing tributes to Mr Connellan, who played with the Roscommon senior team throughout the 1990s and won a Connacht title with them in 2001. His home club, Kilmore GAA. described him as 'an exceptional person' who 'who lived his life with the utmost integrity'. As well as enjoying a lengthy career with Roscommon at every age grade, Mr Connellan featured in three Roscommon senior county finals for his club. After moving to Moycullen, he spent six seasons in charge of the Moycullen GAA's senior team, guiding them to an All-Ireland club semi-final in 2022 before stepping down in 2023 due to health difficulties.
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Irish Independent
Roscommon GAA club ‘shocked and heartbroken' at the loss of Don Connellan
Kilmore GAA have paid a lengthy and heartfelt tribute to Mr Connellan following his passing at the age of 51. Mr Connellan was a standout player for Roscommon throughout the 1900s and featured in their 2001 Connacht final victory over Mayo. He played primarily at midfielder or in the half-forward line and featured in three senior county finals (1998, 1999 and 2001) for Kilmore GAA. After he finished playing, he moved into management with Moycullen GAA in County Galway. After six seasons in charge of their senior team, he stood back from his position in 2023 due to health difficulties after leading them to two senior county titles and an All-Ireland club semi-final in 2022. He had been suffering with illness when he passed away earlier this week. In a statement, Kilmore GAA said: '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.' As well as representing Roscommon at all age grades, Mr Connellan represented Connacht in the Railway Cup and won a Sigerson Cup medal with UCG in 1992. He was part of NUI Galway's All-Ireland winning Sigerson Cup team 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,' continued Kilmore GAA. '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.' The club paid tribute to his contribution to Moycullen GAA, where he lived with his wife Linda and sons Eoin and Conor for the past two decades. '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,' added Kilmore GAA '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.' Moycullen GAA have also paid tribute to Mr Connellan, who was a member of An Garda Síochána. His funeral details have yet to be announced.
