![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_IMG-20260623-WA0002_81744769c410384232b77069c53c544473c8caa848fbf0aa.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe former Tribesmen ace passed away on Monday after a battle with cancer at the age of 49.<\/p>\n
The late Paul Clancy. (Image: RIP.ie)<\/p>\n
Galway legend Paul Clancy was remembered as a “strong, stoic and loyal” man at his Funeral Mass earlier today.<\/p>\n
The former Tribesmen ace passed away on Monday after a battle with cancer at the age of 49.<\/p>\n
His Funeral Mass took place at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Moycullen before he was buried in the adjoining graveyard.<\/p>\n
The dad-of-two’s coffin was draped in both the Moycullen jersey and the Galway jersey. He was brought into the church as “Remember Me” by Christie Hennessy played.<\/p>\n
In an emotionally-charged eulogy, his wife Johanna said: “Thank you to everybody here and everywhere for sharing in our impossible grief – an expression of how deeply we all loved Paul.<\/p>\n
“We received an enormous outpouring of love and support from individuals, communities and clubs in all corners of the county, the country and the world.<\/p>\n
“There are many words to describe Paul, I could praise him for the entire ceremony or for the rest of my life but instead I’m going to sum up Paul with a message his comrade Pat Comer sent on Monday last after Paul passed ‘Hi lads, I suppose we’ve all heard the news and coming to terms with its magnitude.<\/p>\n
“Within earshot of the evening Angelus, 22nd of June, 2026, we lost our great friend and teammate, Paul Clancy, PC, where the C stood for Cool. Unassuming but cute as a fox.<\/p>\n
“Humble, easy going with a bright smile and a down-to-earth manner that personified his iconic style, skill, football intelligence and most of all grace. God rest you Paul, you were a true true gem and we are totally honoured to have known you and loved you as a brother. May you rest in peace.”<\/p>\n
She continued: “Other words being used to describe Paul and the legacy that he leaves behind are “strong”, “stoic”, “loyal”, courageous, witty, loving, honourable, charming, unpretentious, determined, straight-talking and pure class.”<\/p>\n
Johanna also spoke about Paul’s love for working in the ESB, his admiration for his colleagues and thanked Paul’s friends for their help while building their new house.<\/p>\n
She continued: “Now, while Paul was known for being humble, many of us will know him for his confidence and his self-assured banter. When slagged, particularly by sporting rivals, his one-liner was ‘I’ve medals falling out of my back pocket if you want one.'”<\/p>\n
Johanna later said: “Paul did not want to be ill, he didn’t identify as being ill, and he didn’t see a future of illness, only resilience, resolve, and recovery. Methodically, though, throughout his illness, he kicked that same 2001 winning point against Armagh, and he blindly, yet with whole-hearted trust, kicked it over his shoulder to Deccy Meehan for that goal in 2000.<\/p>\n
“He was never the limelight player but on reflection he was always the hero working hard to save the day.<\/p>\n
“Paul was my husband, my best friend and my teammate. We were true partners taking on life side-by-side through the good times and the hard times.<\/p>\n
“Always finding something to laugh about along the way. He was stubborn as a mule and never one to sugar coat his opinions, but that honesty, as we all know, is what made him who he was.<\/p>\n
“Beneath that tough exterior was a loyal, kind and deeply loving man. Loving him was one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I will miss him every single day.<\/p>\n
“Paul’s great pride and joy were our two children, Ellen and Finn. He brought them everywhere to the pitch, matches, swimming, fishing, golfing – my father used to call them the three amigos.”<\/p>\n
Symbols to represent his life included a family photo, a Galway and Moycullen jersey, a fishing rod and a golf club.<\/p>\n