Moycullen GAA club pays rich tribute to “great friend” Don Connellan

The Moycullen GAA community has paid a rich tribute to their “great friend” Don Connellan, who was an integral part of the Galway club and lived in the area with his family for many years.

In a social media post, the club said it was with great sadness that it had learnt of the passing of “our great friend Don Connellan”.

Don was involved with the club’s senior team as a selector and then manager over the course of seven years.

During his tenure in charge, the Kimore native led the club to a historic first senior county title in 2020. In 2022, he managed the team to senior success again and a Connacht title before a narrow loss in the All-Ireland semi-final.

The club said that “under his guidance he brought the team to the county final again in 2023 before stepping aside to concentrate on health issues”.

In its tribute, Moycullen said: “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 and Connellan families. He loved his football, but his family was his world. Rest easy Don, you will be missed.”