Galway All-Ireland winner Michael Coleman dies aged 61

The Abbeyknockmoy man, an All-Ireland winner in 1988, and a three-time All-Star is considered one of the finest midfielders of his generation.

Michael Coleman won All-Stars in 1989, 1990 and 1995. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The death has occurred of Galway’s 1988 All-Ireland senior hurling winner Michael Coleman at the age of 61.

The Abbeyknockmoy man, a three-time All-Star and considered one of the finest midfielders of his generation, passed away following an accident.

Although he won a Division 1 title in 1987, it wasn’t until the following season that Coleman made his championship debut for the Tribesmen. Partnering Pat Malone in the middle of the field, Coleman claimed a Celtic Cross as Galway defeated Tipperary to retain the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

He followed it up with a senior county medal in November, Abbeyknockmoy’s first and only senior title after lifting the intermediate cup three years earlier, and was named as the county’s hurler of 1988.

Recalling the year in the book Game Of Our Lives three years ago, Coleman credits the club’s strong run, which ran parallel to the inter-county championship, with being included in Cyril Farrell’s Galway side.

Leading up to the final, against Tipp, he kept away from the limelight. “I just stayed at home out of the way because I had a point to prove that I was selected on merit and on behalf of the club, because there is no doubt the only reason I got a look in was because of Abbey’s great run in the 1988 club championship."

A second league medal followed in 1989 when he won the first of three All-Stars, the others coming in 1990 and ‘95. He claimed a third Division 1 medal in 1996 and played in two other All-Ireland finals in ’90 and ’93.

Coleman retired from the inter-county game in 1999. In 2018, he was included in the GAA’s best team of the 1990s. He was also named in Galway’s club team of the 1980s.

For several years, he was a coach and selector with Leitrim and they claimed the Lory Meagher Cup in 2019.

Galway GAA posted to social media on Saturday morning that they were "deeply saddened" to share news of their former player's passing. 

Clare All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Daly said it's "Hard to believe Michael Coleman RIP, a warrior in the middle and a gentleman when it was over".

Galway GAA chairperson Paul Bellew said: "Michael was the epitome of everything positive about the GAA and local community. One of our very best on the field and a great man off it. Our condolences to his family, everyone in Abbeyknockmoy and his many teammates at club and county level who are in shock today."

A minute’s silence in memory of Coleman is expected to be observed ahead of Galway’s Division 1A clash with Clare in Pearse Stadium on Saturday evening.

🕯️Michael Coleman, R.I.P🕯️

We are deeply saddened to share the news that @abbeyknockmoyhc clubman Michael, an All-Ireland Senior hurling winner with Galway in 1988 has passed away 🙏

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Full tribute to follow later today pic.twitter.com/XizYAhii1R

— Galway GAA Official (@Galway_GAA) February 8, 2025