Former Roscommon footballer Conor Connelly has sadly passed away.

A Connacht Senior Championship winner with Roscommon in 2001, Connelly was a highly regarded figure in the county.

Roscommon GAA Chairman Seamus Sweeney paid tribute to Connelly.

“I extend my sympathy and the sympathy of Roscommon GAA to his wife Claire, their three young children and to Conor’s parents Jimmy and Nora," Sweeney said.

“I always admired Conor as a footballer, he was a fine tenacious player who gave his all when wearing the primrose and blue. Like Rossies everywhere I really am saddened by the news."

Gerry Keegan, Roscommon GAA's assistant secretary, was a Creggs club mate of Connelly's.

"In our successful Junior Championship winning year in 2016, Conor brought us up to his current Club in Ballycumber County Offaly for a midweek training session the Wednesday night before the replay," Keegan reflected.

"His speech to us that night helped us clinch our first County Championship in 33 years."

"Conor was a fantastic footballer and his work rate for the county jersey was unquestionable, he was also a great person off the field and was always on hand to give you good advice when you'd need it.

"The thoughts and prayers of everyone here in Creggs GAA club go out to his father and mother Jimmy and Nora, his wife Claire and three children Cara, 11, Rossa, 9, and Eoghan 6, his brothers Robert, James and Daragh and his sister Sharon.

"Conor will be sadly missed and will never be forgotten in our club."