Connelly, Frank
May 17, 2011In his youth John was an outstanding Gaelic footballer with Castlerea, and Castlerea St Kevins. He won county juvenile U15 championships in 1964 and 1965; county minor championships in 1967/68 and was a member of the beaten team in the 1966 county minor final. He won U21 county championships in 1968/70 and was on the U21 team beaten in the 1971 county final. He won senior county championships in 1968/71 and was on the team beaten in the county final of 1972. He won a Connaught Club senior football championship in 1968/69. He won O'Rourke Cup senior leagues in 1967/68/71 and was a member of the 1969 and 1970 teams beaten in the O'Rourke Cup finals. He played minor U21 and senior for Roscommon.
He was a keen gardener and musician, a devoted Catholic and a great family man. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Vera; sons, Michael, John Paul and Matthew; daughter, Ruth; grandchild, Laura; mother, Mae; brothers, Michael and Frank; sisters, Mary, Ann, Gertie, Patricia and Eithne; daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and a wide circle of friends.
His remains were removed from Gaynor's Funeral Home on Wednesday evening to St Patrick's Church Castlerea and following Mass of the Resurrection on Thursday morning, celebrated by Canon Joe Fitzgerald, Castlerea, burial took place in St Joseph's Cemetery. His coffin was draped with the Castlerea St Kevin's Club colours and a guard of honour was provided on both days by the Castlerea St Kevin's club and members of the community.
- Courtesy of Roscommon Herald, 17th May 2011 Tweet
