Justin McNulty pays tribute as former Laois GAA selector Paul Clancy dies aged 49
Former Laois selector and Galway legend remembered as a 'leader' and 'family man' by Justin McNulty
Former Laois senior football selector Paul Clancy has passed away at the age of 49 following an illness.
The two-time All-Ireland winner with Galway worked alongside current Laois senior football manager Justin McNulty during his first spell in charge of the county. Clancy served as a selector in 2011, helping Laois secure promotion to Division 1 of the National Football League alongside McNulty and fellow selector Donal Norton.
Clancy spent one season with the O'Moore County before taking over as manager of Garrycastle in 2012, succeeding Anthony Cunningham, who had left to become Galway senior hurling manager.
Speaking to the Leinster Express/Laois Live, Justin McNulty paid tribute to his former colleague, describing Clancy as a gifted footballer and a natural leader.
"💔 Paul Clancy was an incredibly skillful ball player with a lethal left foot. He was great craic and warm-hearted, but at the same time a steely competitor. A student of our game, he saw passes and had views that few others could see or execute.
"I feel lucky to have known Paul as a player and as a coach. On and off the pitch, he had the presence of a leader, and had a quite unassuming confidence, charisma and charm.
"First and foremost, Paul was a family man. My heart goes out to Johanna and their kids.
"Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam."
Clancy enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Galway, winning All-Ireland senior football titles in 1998 and 2001. One of his most memorable moments came during Galway's All-Ireland qualifier victory over McNulty’s Armagh in Croke Park in 2001.
With the sides level late on, McNulty’s kick pass was blocked down by Michael Donnellan, who gathered possession and fed Clancy. The Galway forward split the posts with his trademark left foot to seal a 0-13 to 0-12 victory.
Galway would go on to lift the Sam Maguire Cup later that year, becoming the first county to win an All-Ireland title after coming through the qualifiers without winning their provincial championship.