Former Galway GAA star, Paul Clancy, who won two Sam Maguire Cups with the Tribesmen, has died aged 49.
Clancy, who played his his club football with Maigh Cuilinn, helped his county to All Ireland success in 1998 and 2001, as well as five Connacht titles. At club level, Clancy, played a key role in Maigh Cuilinn's All Ireland Intermediate Club triumph in 2008, which saw them beat Dublin's Fingal Ravens at Croke Park.
He also served as club chairperson from 2019 to 2023, which saw a period of huge success for the club, including winning their first ever Galway senior football championship in 2020, before going on to win their first Connacht senior club championship title in 2022.
Clancy's death was confirmed by Galway GAA this morning, who wrote on social media: “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. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam".
🇶🇦Paul Clancy, R.I.P🇶🇦
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.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam🕯️
Full tribute to follow. pic.twitter.com/CUTXai8da5
— Galway GAA Official (@Galway_GAA) June 23, 2026
His club, Maigh Cuilinn also shared this moving tribute to their most decorated player on social media.
"Paul had a genuine love for the game, when he finished playing he transferred straight into coaching & then Club Chairman – in his first year as Chair Maigh Cuilinn won our first ever County title, during his 4 year tenure as club chairman we won 2 County and 1 Connacht titles," they said on X..
"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".
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. pic.twitter.com/7OQQA2ecuA
— Maigh Cuilinn (@maighcuilinn) June 23, 2026
Paul Clancy also had several coaching roles, including Westmeath club side, Garrycastle, as well as DIT's Sigerson Cup team. He also served as a selector under Alan Mulholland during his time as Galway men's senior football team manager between 2011 and 2014. He also worked with Justin McNulty during his first spell in charge of Laois.
This weekend, Galway face Dublin in the quarter finals of the All Ireland Senior Football Championship at Croke Park. Galway are currently managed by Padraig Joyce, a former team mate of Clancy's. Meanwhile, Cork, another quarter finalist are coached by Kevin Walsh, who also lined out for Galway alongside Joyce and Clancy for those All Ireland triumphs in 1998 and 2001.
Arguably one of Clancy's finest moments in Galway jersey came in 2001, when he kicked a dramatic late winner against Armagh in a qualifier, which sparked Galway's run to the All Ireland final that year, and subsequent over Meath in Croke Park.
Paul Clancy was married to wife Joanna, and had two children, Ellen and Finn.
