Sadness as two time All-Ireland winning Galway footballer passes away
Former Galway footballer Paul Clancy has sadly passed away, casting a shadow of sadness over Galway and Maigh Cuilinn this morning. A distinguished inter-county career saw Clancy represent Galway at senior level with great distinction, playing a key role in the county's All-Ireland success in 1998 and 2001.
Paul Clancy’s determination and commitment were perhaps best illustrated in 1998 when he suffered a stress fracture in his leg during Galway’s All-Ireland-winning campaign. Remarkably, he recovered in time to make an appearance from the bench as Galway defeated Kildare in the All-Ireland final. Three years later, he played at wing-forward as the Tribesmen once again overcame Meath to claim Sam Maguire in 2001.
During an outstanding inter-county career, Clancy also collected five Connacht Senior Football Championship medals with Galway. Following his playing days, he continued to make a significant contribution to Galway football, serving as a Galway Under-21 selector under Alan Flynn when the county captured All-Ireland honours. He was also part of Alan Mulholland’s management team as a selector with the Galway senior footballers.
At club level, Clancy enjoyed notable success with Maigh Cuilinn. In 2007, he helped the Connemara club win the Galway Intermediate Football Championship before they went on to secure All-Ireland Intermediate Club glory at Croke Park, defeating Fingal Ravens by 2-9 to 1-6. His brother, Gearóid Clancy, captained the victorious side.
After retiring from playing, Clancy remained at the heart of Maigh Cuilinn GAA, serving as club chairman from 2019 to 2023. During his tenure, the club enjoyed an historic period of success, capturing its first-ever Galway Senior Football Championship title in 2020 before adding a second Galway SFC crown in 2022.
He played a pivotal role in the development of football in Maigh Cuilinn, including bringing his brother-in-law, the late Don Connellan, into the club set-up as a selector. Connellan would later become one of the club’s most successful senior managers before he sadly passed away in August of last year. Clancy himself also managed Maigh Cuilinn before handing over the reins to Connellan.The Clancy family’s influence on the club continued, with his cousin Cathal leading Maigh Cuilinn to Galway Senior Football Championship success in 2025.
Beyond Galway, Clancy was widely respected in coaching and management circles. He served as a selector with Laois under Justin McNulty, managed Garycastle in Westmeath, and was also involved with DIT at Sigerson Cup level.
Away from Gaelic games, Clancy enjoyed a distinguished career with ESB Networks, where he worked for the past 27 years. His passing marks the loss of a hugely respected figure whose contribution to Galway football, Maigh Cuilinn GAA, and the wider GAA community will be long remembered.
Galway GAA released the following statement: ‘ It is with immense sadness that we heard about the sad and untimely passing of our former double All-Ireland Senior Football winning player, Paul Clancy.’