Latest news with #DonConnellan
Irish Times
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Former Roscommon footballer Don Connellan dies aged 51
Roscommon GAA has paid tribute to former player Don Connellan, who has died at the age of 51. Connellan represented Roscommon at minor, under-21 and senior level. He was a key member of the Connacht SFC winning side in 2001, coming off the bench to feature in the 2-10 to 1-12 provincial final win over Mayo at Dr Hyde Park. He also won three county titles with his home club of Kilmore (1998, 1999, 2001) before moving to Galway , where he managed Moycullen to senior success in 2020 and 2022. 'An overwhelming sense of sorrow and sadness has fallen upon our county and on my own club Kilmore, since the news of Don's passing on Monday,' said Roscommon chairman Brian Carroll. READ MORE 'There are no words that can truly capture what Don meant to Kilmore GAA Club. Don loved Kilmore, and Kilmore loved Don. He was a mighty footballer – a joy to watch on the pitch – and his leadership and class were evident throughout his many years playing for Kilmore. 'Don also showed his immense talent, ability & leadership while representing Roscommon at all levels, making 73 appearances for the Roscommon senior team and scoring 3-38. He also had the honour of representing Roscommon on the Connacht Railway Cup team. 'Off the pitch, Don was equally exceptional – a top-class gentleman and a true friend to so many. I had the pleasure of visiting Don at his home in Moycullen last Wednesday, just days before his sudden passing. Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have had that time with him. It's a memory I will always hold close. 'On behalf of Roscommon GAA, I extend my deepest sympathy to Don's wife, Linda; his sons, Eoin and Conor; his mother, Nellie; his brothers, Adrian and David; the extended Clancy and Connellan families; and all of Don's many friends. 'No words can truly console you at this terrible time. Don's absence will be felt deeply in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to have known him.'
Irish Examiner
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
GAA communities in Roscommon and Galway mourn the passing of Don Connellan
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."
RTÉ News
05-08-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Former Roscommon footballer Don Connellan dies aged 51
Don Connellan, who was part of the Roscommon team that won the 2001 Connacht SFC title, has died at the age of 51. Connellan made his inter-county debut in 1993, but the zenith of his Rossies career was achieved nine year later in a 1-12 to 1-10 win over Mayo in the provincial decider, with the county also accounting for 2001 All-Ireland champions Galway in the Connacht semi-finals. At club level, Connellan was a key figure in helping Kilmore to county finals in 1998, 1999 and 2001. After hanging up his boots, he moved to Galway and managed Maigh Cuilinn to county titles in 2020 and 2022 – going on to win the Connacht title in the second year, while also guiding the University of Galway to Sigerson Cup glory in 2021, a competition he won as a player with UCG in 1992. A statement on the Maigh Cuilinn website read: "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 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. "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."
Irish Daily Mirror
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
GAA community in mourning as former inter-county star dies
The GAA community is in mourning following the announcement of Don Connellan's tragic passing. Don was a stalwart for his beloved Roscommon, donning the Rossies jersey whilst serving as a guard. In 2001, he clinched the Connacht Senior Football Championship title with Roscommon, eight years after his senior inter-county championship debut in 1993 with a 1–12 to 1–10 victory over Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon. Don also represented his local club, Kilmore. In management, Don continued to taste success, this time in Galway. He guided Moycullen to their maiden Galway Senior Football Championship title in 2020. In 2021, Don was part of Maurice Sheridan's management team when NUI Galway lifted the Sigerson Cup.
