Donnelly, nicknamed Gerry, grew up in West Melbourne, Victoria, the second son of Andrew and Mary Donnelly,[1] and had two brothers and four sisters. He began his education at St Mary's Primary School, West Melbourne before going on to St. Joseph's Christian Brothers' College, North Melbourne where he stayed until 1919. During his teenage years he performed in a number of local concerts as he had a fine singing voice. While at school he also became a very good athlete and in 1919 was part of the St. Joseph's senior football squad along with Ray Brew.[2]
His older brother was Andy Donnelly who played twelve games with Essendon between 1920 and 1921.
Football
After leaving school Donnelly trained with Essendon Juniors before going to South Australia where he played with the senior squad of Sturt Football Club. In 1925 he returned to Victoria and his career in a senior league came to prominence at Melbourne Football Club where he played as wingman. That same year he was chosen to represent the Victorian interstate team.[3] Towards the end of the 1925 season he had his playing permit cancelled after it was decided by the League Investigations Committee that he was residentially bound to North Melbourne.[4]
Coaching
Donnelly crossed to North Melbourne Football Club in 1926 and after three games Wels Eicke resigned as captain-coach. Donnelly at the age of 22 became the youngest person ever to be a captain-coach in VFL history. He coached for 14 games that year.[5] Although he failed to register a win he did lead North Melbourne to a controversial draw with Hawthorn Football Club in Round 13. Hawthorn were leading by a point when the bell sounded but Donnelly, who was running with the ball at the time, kicked a behind to level the scores. As the umpires had not heard the bell the point stood.
Country Football
Donnelly lined up with St Patricks in the Ovens And Murray Football League in 1927 and the team won the premiership. In 1928 he was appointed captain-coach of the club but they lost the Grand final. In 1929 he went to Hamilton as captain-coach but he suffered an eye injury that stopped him from playing. Recovering in Melbourne, Essendon enquired about his services but North Melbourne would not clear him.
Donnelly spent the summer training with Essendon but North refused to transfer him. After playing two senior games for the Kangaroos and several in the reserves North finally relented and Donnelly became a Bomber as clearances close on 30 June 1930. Donnelly played three senior games with Essendon.
Death
On 4 September 1937, Donnelly died at St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne at the relatively young age of 34 from illness, and was interred on 6 September at Coburg Cemetery.[1][6] He married Mollie 'Marie' Corcoran who survived him.[1]
