A beloved former All-Ireland-winning hurler tragically lost his life in a Co Galway accident while cleaning up storm damage. The 61-year-old, deeply involved in his community through various organizations, was remembered by friends as an exceptional individual who tirelessly dedicated his time to helping others.
A former All-Ireland -winning hurler has died in an accident in Co Galway while cleaning up storm damage near his home. The 61-year-old was heavily involved in a variety of community events, including sport, the church, senior citizens’ group and a host of other local activities. Jennifer O’Connell, a friend of the deceased, said: “He was one of the finest people I have ever met. He was non-stop doing things for the community. It’s incredible to be even talking about him in the past tense.
“He epitomised everything and anything you would want in a person. He organised everything, he was a doer. Nobody could say ‘no’ to him, yet he always stayed in the background. He would look for progress reports, he would drive people on but he never looked for credit or for glory.” Last week Sinead, the deceased’s sister, was the recipient of a camogie All Star award in Galway following her exploits for Abbeyknockmoy in 2024, while Dara, another sibling, has been a prominent member of the club hurling team in recent years. In 2009 his sister Ann, a former Galway camogie player, died along with her husband Joe O’Connell, a former Kerry hurler, in a car crash in Iowa in the United States. Michael Coleman emerged on the scene as a hurler when he won an All-Ireland U-21 medal in 1983. In 1987 he played in midfield when Galway defeated Clare to win the league title but by September he was only a spectator on Hill 16 when they won the All-Ireland title against Kilkenny, having been dropped for the championship. The following year he played a starring role at midfield when Galway retained the All-Ireland title against Tipperary and went on to enjoy over a decade on the county senior side. He followed up that 1988 All-Ireland win by inspiring Abbeyknockmoy later that year when they won their first and only Galway senior hurling title, pipping holders Athenry by a point in a replay. Coleman won the first of his three All Star awards the following season in 1989, and was also honoured in 1990 and in 1995. In 1996 he captained Galway to a league final win over Tipperary, when he collected his third medal in the grade
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Galway Community Mourns Loss of Former All-Star Hurler Michael ColemanMichael Coleman, a beloved member of the Galway community and former All-Star hurler, tragically died in an accident while clearing storm damage. Known for his tireless dedication to local initiatives, his passing has left a profound void in the community he served.
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