All at Cumann Peile Mhaigh Cuilinn were deeply saddened to hear of the recent passing of Paul Clancy.
Hailing from the Clancy family, the GAA was in his blood – like his uncles and late father, he was a natural sportsman. His formative years were spent at the pitch honing both his football and hurling skills.
He first became known in the county colours when he broke onto the star-studded Galway minor team of 1994.
In 1998, Paul was a key member of a young Galway team who started the season as unknowns and ended as All-Ireland Champions. Sadly for the Clancy family, Paul’s father – Padraic – passed away in the previous year and never got to see Paul win an All-Ireland.
It was a breakthrough year for that great team, and Paul was a constant presence on it. In 2000, Galway played Kerry and drew the first game before losing the replay. The Galway goal in the replay is widely regarded as one of the greatest team goals ever scored, with Paul delivering an exquisite no-look, defence-splitting pass to his great friend Dec Meehan, who scored.
2001 saw Galway win another All-Ireland with Paul again playing a key role, most notably his long-range injury-time winner against Armagh in the qualifiers.
As a footballer, he was hugely skilful, fiercely strong and a very clever player. With Galway he is mostly remembered as a wing forward but he was also a very versatile player, in the 2000 All Ireland replay he started at full forward, played centre back v Mayo in the 2005 Connacht Final and started the 2006 National League final v Kerry at midfield.
A talisman for the club for years, Paul’s crowning glory was playing a starring role in the 2008 All-Ireland intermediate win, controlling games for Centre back.
Paul had a genuine love for the game, when he finished playing he transferred straight into coaching and was involved with DIT, Laois, Garrycastle, Galway U21s, Galway Seniors and of course Maigh Cuilinn.
Following coaching, he became Club Chairman – at this time his late brother in law, Don Connellan, was the Senior Manager, a tricky dynamic to navigate… but they proved to be a great double act – in his first year as Chair Maigh Cuilinn won our first ever County Senior title, during his 4 year tenure as club chairman we won 2 County and 1 Connacht Senior titles.
Paul is our most decorated player, an inspiration to a generation, remembered for having a sweet left peg, being teak tough and having an unwavering mindset but beyond the playing pitches he leaves a lasting legacy, he was an icon to so many in our community, so well known, so well respected and always had a word for everyone, a straight shooter with the boot and, if needed, with the lip.
Calm and assured, reliable and loyal.
We think of his wife, Johanna, and children, Ellen and Finn; Paul’s mother, Mary; brother, Gearoid; sisters, Linda & Ailish; and all in the wider Clancy & Fahy families.
Paul was known as a sportsman, but above all, he was a family man, a great friend and a man we were lucky to have met.
Rest easy, a chara, we will miss you more than words can say…
