23 September 2001; The Galway team, back row, from left, Pádraic Joyce, Tomás Mannion, Kieran Fitzgerald, Alan Keane, Kevin Walsh, Joe Bergin, Ja Fallon, Michael Donnellan, front row, from left, Seán Óg de Paor, Richard Fahey, Paul Clancy, Gary Fahey, Derek Savage, Paul Clancy, and Declan Meehan, prior to the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Galway and Meath at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
It is with tremendous sadness that we heard about the sad and untimely passing of our former double All-Ireland Senior Football winning player and Maigh Cuilinn clubman, Paul Clancy.
Paul enjoyed a stellar sporting career with the Galway Senior Footballers. He tasted success five times in the Connacht Football championship in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2005.
The crowning glory of his senior football career was the winning of the two All-Ireland Senior Football titles with Galway in 1998 and 2001; ending a 32-year famine to return the Sam Maguire Cup to the Tribesmen.
As a leader and driving force in his club Cumann Peile Mhaigh Cuilinn, Paul served as Club Chairperson from 2019-2023. During this era, Maigh Cuilinn claimed their first ever Galway Senior Club Football championship title in 2022, this was followed with further success when Maigh Cuilinn added Galway and Connacht senior football titles in 2022.
One of his greatest club days as a player was when Maigh Cuilinn captured the All-Ireland Intermediate Football title in 2008.
Over the past few years, Paul has contributed to numerous coaching roles.
He served as selector with the Galway Senior Football team under Alan Mulholland, the Galway All-Ireland-winning U21 Football team and as a selector with the Laois Senior Football team under Justin McNulty. He has also provided guidance and coaching expertise to several club teams and colleges football teams.
Paul was always readily available to step in and help others on and off the field of play and we are truly indebted to him for his wonderful contribution to the GAA over the past few years.
Galway GAA extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Johanna, children Ellen and Finn, his mother Mary, brother Gearóid, sisters Linda & Ailish, the extended Clancy family, friends, former teammates and the Maigh Cuilinn club community.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
29 August 2001; Paul Clancy of Galway poses for a portrait during a Galway press night ahead of the Bank of Ireland All-Ireland Football Hurling Championship Final. Photo by Damien Eagers/Sportsfile
