Former Dublin footballer Darragh Nelson, who captained Ballyboden St Enda’s to All-Ireland senior club football glory in 2016, has died aged 36 following a battle with cancer.
Nelson was diagnosed with extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, a rare form of sarcoma, four years ago. In November 2024, scans revealed tumour growth in his lung, hip and pancreas. He underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
Speaking to the Irish Independent last November, Nelson had revealed he faced the possibility of losing his arm during an operation to remove a tumour.
“I just said, ‘I've had my day. I don't care if you have to take the arm. I just want this cancer out of me.’”
Nelson was part of Dublin’s All-Ireland Senior Football Championship-winning panels in 2011 and 2013, before finishing his inter-county career the following year.
#Leinsterchamps #TheToughest #bodengaa #MerryChristmas 😃 https://t.co/qmEUMP56Uz
— Darragh Nelson (@TheFullNelson7) December 7, 2015
At club level, he captained Ballyboden St Enda’s to the All-Ireland title in 2016 under manager Andy McEntee. He also won three Dublin and two Leinster senior club titles with the club, as well as a Division One league title with Dublin in 2013.
Nelson is survived by his wife Lauren, daughters Molly and Sophie, parents Susan and John, and sisters Emma and Kate.
Meanwhile, former Roscommon footballer Frankie Dolan has withdrawn from the race to become Longford senior football manager. Dolan, who assisted Oisín McConville as Wicklow won the Tailteann Cup this season, confirmed his decision on Instagram after speaking with Longford County Board chairman Derek Fahy.
