Former Roscommon footballer Conor Connelly has sadly passed away the age of 44, it was announced this afternoon.
Connelly was part of the Roscommon side that won the Connacht title in 2001, beating both Galway and Mayo during that run. The Creggs man started at wing forward and scored in the final win over Mayo at Dr Hyde Park.
He also represented St Judes of Dublin and Offaly's Ballycumber in the intervening years.
In a statement released on their website, Roscommon GAA Chairman Seamus Sweeney extended his sympathies to the family of the player:
I extend my sympathy and the sympathy of Roscommon GAA to his wife Claire, their three young children and to Conor’s parents Jimmy and Nora.”
I always admired Conor as a footballer, he was a fine tenacious player who gave his all when wearing the primrose and blue. Like Rossies everywhere I really am saddened by the news.
County board secretary, and fellow Creggs club member Gerry Keegan said this was heartbreaking news:
It's heart breaking news, Conor was such a popular figure in Creggs GAA club and was always there to lend a hand when needed even after his playing days came to an end.
In our successful junior championship winning year in 2016, Conor brought us up to his current Club in Ballycumber Co Offaly for a midweek training session the Wednesday night before the replay. His speech to us that night helped us clinch our first county championship in 33 years.
Conor was a fantastic footballer and his work rate for the county jersey was unquestionable, he was also a great person off the field and was always on hand to give you good advice when you'd need it.
The thoughts and prayers of everyone here in Creggs GAA club go out to his father and mother Jimmy and Nora, his wife Claire and three children Cara 11, Rossa 9 today, and Eoghan 6, his brothers Robert, James and Daragh and his sister Sharon.
Conor will be sadly missed and will never be forgotten in our club.
