Westmeath's Ray Connellan goes high to win the ball at midfield during last Sunday's Leinster SFC final, with Dublin duo Killian McGinnis and Ciaran Kilkenny and Westmeath's Kevin O'Sullivan watching on. Photo: John McCauley.

Footballer of the Week honour for Westmeath ace

Kieran Galvin

Published: Wed 20 May 2026, 12:43 PM

Last updated: Wed 20 May 2026, 1:09 PM

Westmeath's Ray Connellan has been voted as the GAA.ie Footballer of the Week.

Connellan was chosen for the official man of the match award as part of RTE's coverage of last Sunday's Leinster SFC final win over Dublin.

The Athlone GAA star received 4,269 votes on the GAA’s official Instagram page which put him ahead of Armagh's Oisín Conaty (2,717) and Down's Daniel Guinness (1,347).

Connellan continues to impress for Westmeath, who secured a second ever Leinster senior title in dramatic fashion with an extra-time victory at Croke Park . Midfielder Connellan was at his brilliant best for Mark McHugh's committed outfit on a day when Westmeath had heroes all over the pitch.

Coosan native Connellan now has the distinction of being the only Westmeath footballer to play in three Leinster finals in three different years.

A son of Mary and Paul Connellan, Ray hails from a family steeped in sport with his brother John and sister Eimear having also played for Westmeath.

Ray is one of six Westmeath players on the GAA.ie Football Team of the Week, the others being Jason Daly (St Loman's, Mullingar), Charlie Drumm (The Downs), Ronan Wallace (Multyfarnham), Senan Baker (Caulry) and Brandon Kelly (Milltownpass) - see team list below.

Oisín Conaty produced another action packed and classy display in Armagh's Ulster final win over Monaghan - a contest which also required extra-time to decide. The dynamic attacker finished with six points from play was an influential figure for Kieran McGeeney's charges.

Daniel Guinness impressed for Down in last Saturday's Tailteann Cup first round win against Leitrim at Páirc Esler.

GAA.ie Football Team of the Week: Jason Daly (Westmeath); Aaron McKay (Armagh), Charlie Drumm (Westmeath), Ronan Wallace (Westmeath); Daniel Guinness (Down), Tiernan Kelly (Armagh), Ceilum Doherty (Down); Ray Connellan (Westmeath), Brian Howard (Dublin); Conor McCarthy (Monaghan), Conor Turbitt (Armagh), Stephen O'Hanlon (Monaghan); Oisín Conaty (Armagh), Senan Baker (Westmeath), Brandon Kelly (Westmeath).