John Donnellan

John F. Donnellan (born 27 March 1937) is an Irish former politician and sportsman. He served as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) for twenty-five years and as a Minister of State from 1982 to 1987.[1] He played Gaelic football for his local club Dunmore McHales and at senior level for the Galway county team in the 1960s.[2]

For the American politician, see John W. Donnellan.

John Donnellan
Minister of State
1983–1987Health
1983–1987Social Welfare
1982–1983Posts and Telegraphs
1982–1983Transport
Teachta Dála
In office
June 1981 – June 1989
ConstituencyGalway West
In office
June 1969 – June 1977
ConstituencyGalway North-East
In office
June 1977 – June 1981
In office
December 1964 – June 1969
ConstituencyGalway East
Personal details
Born (1937-03-27) 27 March 1937
County Galway, Ireland
Political partyFine Gael
Parent

Early and private life

John Donnellan was born in Dunmore, County Galway in 1937. He was born into a family that had strong interests in both Gaelic games and Irish politics. His father, Michael Donnellan, had won an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (SFC) medal with Galway in 1925, later becoming a TD for Clann na Talmhan. John Donnellan would go on to follow in his father's footsteps in both of these pursuits, although for a different party. John's son, Michael, would also go on to play football for Galway, winning All-Ireland SFC medals in 1998 and 2001.[2]

Playing career
John Donnellan
Personal information
Sport Gaelic Football
Position Right half back
Club(s)
Years Club
 Dunmore McHales
Club titles
Galway titles 4
Connacht titles 2
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
1960s
 Galway
Inter-county titles
Connacht titles 6
All-Irelands 3

Club

Donnellan played his club football with the Dunmore McHales club in the north of County Galway. He enjoyed much success with the club, beginning in 1961 when he won a senior county championship for the first time. In 1962 Donnellan won a county league medal before claiming a second county championship title in 1963. This last win was later converted into a Connacht club football championship. In 1966 Donnellan's club completed the double of county league and county championship victories. He completed a great run of success by capturing back-to-back county championship and Connacht club titles in 1968 and 1969.

Inter-county

Donnellan's career as an inter-county footballer began in the late 1950s. He won an All-Ireland Junior Football Championship title with the Galway junior team in 1958 and he quickly joined the senior side. Two years later in 1960 Donnellan won his first Connacht title; however, Galway were later defeated in the All-Ireland SFC semi-final. Three years later in 1963 he captured a second provincial title; however on that occasion Dublin defeated the men from the west in the All-Ireland SFC final. In 1964 Donnellan was appointed captain of the Galway team. That year he won a third Connacht title before leading his team out in the All-Ireland final against Kerry. Galway were victorious on that day by five points and Donnellan captured his first All-Ireland SFC medal. His moment of triumph was short-lived as, shortly after hoisting the Sam Maguire Cup, he learned that his father Michael had died in the Hogan Stand shortly before the start of the second-half.

In 1965 Donnellan added a fourth provincial medal to his collection. In the subsequent All-Ireland final against Kerry he was sent off but Galway were still victorious, giving Donnellan a second consecutive All-Ireland medal. The following year he won a fifth Connacht Championship title before qualifying for a fourth consecutive All-Ireland final appearance. Galway had a six-point win over Meath, thus giving Donnellan a third consecutive All-Ireland SFC medal and establishing that Galway team as one of the greatest of all time. In 1967 he won a Railway Cup medal with Connacht before winning a sixth and final provincial medal in 1968. Donnellan retired from inter-county football shortly after.

Political career

Donnellan's father Michael died suddenly in September 1964, and at the resulting by-election in December John was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael TD for the Galway East constituency. He was successful at the next eight general elections, with changes of constituency; to Galway North-East in 1969, back to Galway East in 1977, and from 1981 to 1989 for Galway West.[3]

In December 1982, he was appointed by Garret FitzGerald as Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs and Minister of State at the Department of Transport.[4] In 1983, he was re-assigned as Minister of State at the Department of Health and Minister of State at the Department of Social Welfare with special responsibility for public health and social welfare information.[5] He served until Fine Gael left office after the 1987 general election.

In April 1988, following criticism of party leader Alan Dukes, Donnellan was expelled from the parliamentary party.[6] Donnellan retired from politics at the 1989 general election.

See also

References
  1. "John F. Donnellan". Oireachtas Members Database. 16 May 1989. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  2. "The Donnellan dynasty". Irish Independent. 20 May 2006. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  3. "John F. Donnellan". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  4. "Appointment of Ministers of State – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil) – Vol. 339 No. 3". Houses of the Oireachtas. 16 December 1982. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  5. "Ministerial Appointments and Titles – Dáil Éireann (24th Dáil) – Vol. 346 No. 12". Houses of the Oireachtas. 16 December 1983. Archived from the original on 7 January 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  6. Brennock, Mark (21 April 1988). "FG removes whip from Donnellan". The Irish Times.
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