Roscommon GAA club ‘shocked and heartbroken' at the loss of Don Connellan

Irish Independent

8 hours ago

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.