Former Roscommon footballer Conor Connelly has passed away suddenly at the age of 44.
Connelly, from the Creggs club, played senior football for Roscommon in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and was a member of the Roscommon team that won the Connacht championship in 2001.
A former student of St Mel's in Longford, he won a Leinster colleges title with the school in 1994, and was bestowed with the Fr Manning Medal, the school's highest honour which recognises a student's sporting efforts, academic performance and overall contribution to student life.
The high-point of his inter-county career came in 2001, when he operated at wing forward on the Roscommon team that beat Galway and Mayo to win the Connacht championship, Connelly getting on the score-sheet as the hosts pipped Mayo 2-10 to 1-12 in a dramatic provincial decider in Dr Hyde Park.
In addition to his home club, Connelly also represented St Jude's in Dublin and more recently Ballycumber in Offaly.
He had worked as a solicitor since 2004.
His death was confirmed in a statement by Roscommon GAA this afternoon.
County Chairman Seamus Sweeney extended his own sympathy and that of Roscommon GAA to the Connelly family.
"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 Assistant Secretary and Creggs Club mate Gerry Keegan extended his sympathies to the family and said:
"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".
Very sad news this morning of Conor connelly passing. Played against Conor at the early stages of my career. Prayers to all his family and https://t.co/tTFF4KIJDm pic.twitter.com/EpfmNWsYXb
— Conor.mortimer ⚽️ (@Conmort) March 28, 2020
RIP Conor Connelly.
— Padraic Davis (@PadraicDavis) March 28, 2020
In 1994 & '95 the most prestigious award in St. Mel's college was awarded to these two gems, for excellence in academics, sport and overall demeanor. Hard to believe both former inter county stars are no longer with us. Condolences to the Connelly family. pic.twitter.com/tx4EtKzDLx
"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". Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam ".
