Padraic Joyce paid a heartfelt tribute to his former team-mate Paul Clancy after Galway’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final loss to Dublin.

Galway ‘retired’ the number 10 jersey and also formed a 10 figure before the throw-in as a mark of respect to the two-time All-Ireland SFC winner who passed away last week.

“It’s heartbreaking for him to be gone at such a young age, 49 years of age. A team-mate, a great friend of mine over the years, played underage with him, a lot of us did,” the Galway manager said in the Croke Park media room.

“He was a brilliant footballer, first and foremost a great guy, great team-mate. Always had your back, really believed in his own ability, and he contributed to Galway football. 

“What he’s done for his club, Moycullen, he loved his club. He’s always battled away with them, and he got them an intermediate title back in 2008 and then played away. When he finished playing, back in doing the chairman role in the club, which not many players do, he galvanised the club and helped them to win three county finals in a couple of years.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Joanna and the kids and the Fahey family, the Clancy family. I know his mother Mary from talking to the funeral is watching the game today and hoping for the best. It’s devastating, it really is. There is more to life than football.”

Joyce added: “He got a huge send-off from everyone, from his former team-mates, from his club, from his workmates in the ESB, everyone gave him a good send-off.”

Tweet

Most Read Stories