TIPPERARY GAA PLAYER Eddie Connolly has sadly passed following a brave fight against cancer.
The Tipperary county board announced the tragic news on their website this morning.
A statement read:
“The death has taken place of former Loughmore-Castleiney and Tipperary player Eddie Connolly after a long battle with cancer.
Eddie passed away peacefully last night at home with his family.
“At the request of the Connolly family, tonight’s Eddie Connolly Trust Fund “Night at the Dogs” at Thurles Greyhound Stadium will still go ahead in a celebration of Eddie’s life.
“On behalf of the Tipperary County Board, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Connolly family at this sad time.”
Connolly’s club Loughmore-Castleiney also paid tribute.
It is with great sadness that we learned this morning of the death of Eddie Connolly.
“Eddie battled his illness with huge determination, positivity and bravery. Eddie was a hugely popular guy and his popularity has been reflected in recent weeks with the unprecedented response to the Eddie Connolly Trust Fund.
“As a tribute to Eddie and as a celebration of Eddies life and the contribution he made to his community, county and further a field tonight’s fundraiser in Thurles Greyhound Stadium will go ahead as planned and we would ask as many people as possible to come along to honour one of the greatest people our club has had the privilege of knowing.
“We extend our heart filled sympathies to Eddies parents Jim and Maureen, his sisters Niamh and Fiona, brothers James and Ger and the Connolly family.”
Loughmore-Castleiney club man Connolly represented his club and county at all grades of hurling and football, and captained Tipperary to the All-Ireland intermediate hurling title in 2012.
In late 2013, he was diagnosed with brain cancer and since then he courageously battled to overcome his illness.
Remarkably, Connolly returned to club colours last October when Loughmore-Castleiney booked their place in the county senior hurling final.
Recently he underwent a new form of cancer treatment in Spain and fundraiser for the Eddie Connolly Trust Fund had been organised for tonight with a special ‘Night at the Dogs’ taking place at Thurles Greyhound Stadium.
Former Irish and Munster rugby star Denis Leamy, a cousin of Connolly’s, spoke to The42 last month about his cousin’s fight.
The ‘Score 4 Eddie’ initiative received huge support in recent weeks as several well-known sports stars showed support for Connolly.
Ar Dheis Dé Go Raibh A Anam
Jaysus Clough was some legend
Where is the Steve Staunton “i’m the gaffa the buck stops with me” interview?
Sir Red nose has to be top of the pops!
He’s looking pretty healthy in that interview though, obviously on the sugar-free gum
I reckon that Trap clip should be used the same way that clip from the Hitler movie ‘Downfall’ is always used. Change the text to show him giving out about Reid, Hoolihan and of course Tony O’Donaghue.
Best of all time I reckon .. Clough to do what he did with forest will never be equaled !!!