Don Connellan, a former county and Kilmore player, died unexpectedly,
leaving the Roscommon GAA community in shock.
Mr. Connellan, 51, died unexpectedly on Monday afternoon. He was a
successful player and manager.
In 1993, he made his senior football championship debut for Roscommon, in a
Connacht semi-final victory against Leitrim at Carrick-on-Shannon.
Connellan won a Connacht title with Roscommon in 2001, overcoming Mayo in
the final.
He won a Sigerson Cup as a player with the University of Galway in 1992, and
as part of the management team with Maurice Sheridan who captured the title
in 2022.
He would go on to manage Moycullen of Galway to their first ever Galway
senior football championship in 2020, and would repeat the trick in 2022
when they also claimed the Connacht Senior Club title.
In a statement Moycullen Gaa paid tribute to their former manager.
“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.
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.”
