Kevin Hennessy
Encyclopedia
Kevin Hennessy is an Irish
retired sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Midleton
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1982 until 1993.
with the Midleton
club in East Cork
and came to prominence just as the club joined the senior ranks of the county championship. He won his first senior county senior championship
title with the club in 1983. It was Midleton’s first senior county final triumph since 1916. Hennessy's side later had the honour of representing Cork in the provincial club championship. A 1-14 to 1-11defeat of Tipperary’s Borrisoleigh in the replay of provincial decider gave Fenton a coveted Munster
club winners’ medal. Midleton were later defeated by Gort
in the All-Ireland club semi-final.
Three years later in 1986 Hennessy captured a second county title before adding a third county winners’ medal to his collection in 1987. Later that year Midleton won a second Munster club title following a one-point win over Cappawhite
of Tipperary. On St. Patrick's Day, 1988 Midleton lined out in the All-Ireland club final. Athenry
of Galway provided the opposition, however, two early goals by Hennessy and a kicked goal by Colm O’Neill gave Midleton a 3-8 to 0-9 victory. This victory also gave Hennessy a coveted All-Ireland
club winners’ medal.
Hennessy won a fourth and final county title with the club in 1991.
minor hurling title following a 3-17 to 404 defeat of Limerick
. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Kilkenny
. A close game ensued, however, at the final whistle Cork were the champions by 2-11 to 1-9, giving Hennessy a coveted All-Ireland
minor hurling winners’ medal.
Hennessy later joined the Cork under-21 hurling team and enjoyed the ultimate success in 1982. That year he captured a Munster
winners’ title in that grade as Limerick were easily accounted for. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Galway
. A marrow 0-12 to 0-11 victory gave Hennessy a coveted All-Ireland
under-21 winners’ medal.
winners' medal in 1982 following a 5-31 to 3-6 trouncing of Waterford
. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Kilkenny. Following an impressive provincial championship campaign 'the Rebels' were the red-hot favourites, however, Kilkenny surprised. Christy Heffernan
scored two goals in a forty-second spell just before the interval to take the wind out of Cork's sails. Ger Fennelly
got a third goal within eight minutes of the re-start, giving Kilkenny a 3-18 to 1-15 victory.
In 1983 Cork’s run of provincial success continued. Hennessy won a second Munster title that year as Cork trounced Waterford for the second consecutive year. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Kilkenny for the second consecutive year also. ‘The Cats’ used a strong wind to dominate the opening half and built up a strong lead. Cork came storming back with goals by Tomás Mulcahy
and Seánie O'Leary
, however, at the full-time whistle Kilkenny had won by 2-14 to 2-12.
1984 was a special year in the annals of Gaelic games
as it was the centenary year of the Gaelic Athletic Association
. The year began well with Hennessy helping his team to victory in the special Centenary Cup
competition. A third Munster winners’ medal soon followed for Hennessy as Cork defeated Tipperary
by 4-15 to 3-14 in a memorable Munster final. The subsequent All-Ireland final, played at Semple Stadium
in Thurles
, saw Cork take on Offaly
for the first time ever in championship history. The centenary-year final failed to live up to expectations and Cork recorded a relatively easy 3-16 to 1-12 victory. It was Hennessy's first All-Ireland
winners’ medal.
In 1985 Hennessy added a fourth Munster title to his collection as Cork defeated Tipperary by 4-17 to 4-11 in the provincial decider. Cork, however, were later defeated by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.
In 1986 Cork made it five-in-a-row in Munster as Cork defeated Clare by 2-18 to 3-12 to take the provincial title. This victory paved the way for an All-Ireland final meeting with Galway. The men from the west were the red-hot favourites against an ageing Cork team, however, on the day a different story unfolded. Four Cork goals, one from John Fenton
, two from Tomás Mulcahy
and one from Hennessy, stymied the Galway attack and helped ‘the Rebels’ to a 4-13 to 2-15 victory. It was Hennessy's second All-Ireland winners’ medal.
In 1987 Hennessy was captain as Cork were attempting to make history by winning a record sixth Munster title in-a-row. Tipperary provided the opposition on that occasion, however, the game ended in a draw. The replay in FitzGerald Stadium
, Killarney
has gone down in history as one of the great provincial finals. At full-time both sides were level again and extra-time was played. Tipp eventually won the day by 4-22 to 1-22 and it was the first time in five years that Cork were not provincial champions.
Cork went into decline following this game as Tipperary dominated the Munster championship for the next three seasons. More importantly, Hennessy was dropped from the Cokr championship team in 1989. The team returned in 1990 with Hennessy winning a sixth Munster title following an odds defying 4-16 to 2-14 defeat of Tipperary. Cork subsequently qualified for another All-Ireland final showdown with Galway. Once again, Galway were the favourites and wer eout to capture a third All-Ireland title in four seasons. Shortly after half-time the westerners were up by seven points and were cruising to victory. Tomás Mulcahy
, however, played a captain’s role and scored a crucial goal that revitalised the Cork attack. The final score of 5-15 to 2-21 gave Cork the victory in one of the most open hurling finals in years and gave Hennessy a third All-Ireland winners' medal.
Tipp wrested the Munster title from Cork again in 1991, however, Hennessy won his seventh Munster winners' medal on the field of play in 1992 as Limerick fell to ‘the Rebels.’ After a defeat of Down
, Cork advanced to the All-Ireland final where Kilkenny provided the opposition. It was the two sides’ first meeting in the championship in nine years. All-Ireland victories over Galway and Offaly had given Hennessy three All-Ireland medals, however, a defeat of Cork’s biggest rivals would put the icing on the cake. Kilkenny played into a strong wind in the first-half and were two points in arrears at half-time. ‘The Cats’ fought back and defeated their arch rivals by 3-10 to 1-12
For the next few years Cork hurling went into decline. Hennessy did play in the first two games of Cork's three-game National Hurling League
final saga with Wexford
in 1993, however, he was dropped for the final. He retired following Cork’s defeat in the championship that year.
in the inter-provincial hurling competition and enjoyed much success. He first lined out with his province in 1984 as Munster defeated arch-rivals Leinster
by 1-18 to 2-9, giving Hennessy a coveted Railway Cup winners’ medal. He was a key member of the team again in 1985 as Connacht
provided the opposition. A 3-6 to 1-11 score line gave Munster the victory and gave Hennessy a second Railway Cup title. He was a member of the Munster team for a third successive year in 1986, however, Connacht gained their revenge for the previous year's defeat. This was Hennessy's last outing with his province.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
retired sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Midleton
Midleton GAA
Midleton Hurling and Football Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Midleton in County Cork, Ireland.-History:The concept of a Gaelic Athletic Association was first mooted in 1883 when a sub-committee of the Irish Republican Brotherhood was formed with the ideal of...
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1982 until 1993.
Club
Hennessy played his club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with the Midleton
Midleton GAA
Midleton Hurling and Football Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the town of Midleton in County Cork, Ireland.-History:The concept of a Gaelic Athletic Association was first mooted in 1883 when a sub-committee of the Irish Republican Brotherhood was formed with the ideal of...
club in East Cork
East Cork
East Cork lies in south-west Ireland in Ireland's largest county, Co. Cork.East Cork contains the world's second largest natural harbour Cork Harbour, which is also home to the world's oldest yacht club. St...
and came to prominence just as the club joined the senior ranks of the county championship. He won his first senior county senior championship
Cork Senior Hurling Championship
The Evening Echo Cork County Senior Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in the county of Cork in Ireland....
title with the club in 1983. It was Midleton’s first senior county final triumph since 1916. Hennessy's side later had the honour of representing Cork in the provincial club championship. A 1-14 to 1-11defeat of Tipperary’s Borrisoleigh in the replay of provincial decider gave Fenton a coveted Munster
Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for the top hurling clubs in the province of Munster in Ireland...
club winners’ medal. Midleton were later defeated by Gort
Gort GAA
Gort GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in Gort, County Galway, Republic of Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling...
in the All-Ireland club semi-final.
Three years later in 1986 Hennessy captured a second county title before adding a third county winners’ medal to his collection in 1987. Later that year Midleton won a second Munster club title following a one-point win over Cappawhite
Cappawhite GAA
Cappawhite GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club is located in the village of Cappawhite, South Tipperary, bordering on County Limerick in Ireland.-Honours:* Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Winners 1987* Tipperary U-21 'A' hurling Champions 1999...
of Tipperary. On St. Patrick's Day, 1988 Midleton lined out in the All-Ireland club final. Athenry
Athenry GAA
St. Mary's, Athenry is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Athenry in County Galway. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling.-History:...
of Galway provided the opposition, however, two early goals by Hennessy and a kicked goal by Colm O’Neill gave Midleton a 3-8 to 0-9 victory. This victory also gave Hennessy a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge...
club winners’ medal.
Hennessy won a fourth and final county title with the club in 1991.
Minor & under-21
Hennessy first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with Cork in the early 1970s. In 1979 he enjoyed his first success in the minor grade. Hennessy began the year by winning a MunsterMunster Minor Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Minor Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for the youngest competitors in the province of Munster in Ireland...
minor hurling title following a 3-17 to 404 defeat of Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
. A close game ensued, however, at the final whistle Cork were the champions by 2-11 to 1-9, giving Hennessy a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championship is an annual competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1928 for competitors under eighteen years of age in the game of hurling played in Ireland.The series of games are played during the summer months with the All-Ireland final...
minor hurling winners’ medal.
Hennessy later joined the Cork under-21 hurling team and enjoyed the ultimate success in 1982. That year he captured a Munster
Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Under-21 Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 for players aged between 18 and 21 in the province of Munster in Ireland...
winners’ title in that grade as Limerick were easily accounted for. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
. A marrow 0-12 to 0-11 victory gave Hennessy a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of hurling played in Ireland...
under-21 winners’ medal.
Senior
Hennessy later joined the Cork senior hurling team and won his first senior MunsterMunster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
winners' medal in 1982 following a 5-31 to 3-6 trouncing of Waterford
Waterford GAA
The Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Waterford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for all levels of Gaelic games in County Waterford. The County Board is also responsible for the Waterford inter-county teams. The county...
. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Kilkenny. Following an impressive provincial championship campaign 'the Rebels' were the red-hot favourites, however, Kilkenny surprised. Christy Heffernan
Christy Heffernan
Christy Heffernan is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Glenmore and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team in the 1980s and 1990s. Heffernan is regarded as one of Kilkenny's greatest-ever players.-Club:...
scored two goals in a forty-second spell just before the interval to take the wind out of Cork's sails. Ger Fennelly
Ger Fennelly
Ger Fennelly is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Ballyhale Shamrocks and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1974 until 1989. Fennelly captained Kilkenny to the All-Ireland title in 1979.-Biography:Ger Fennelly was born in Piltown, County...
got a third goal within eight minutes of the re-start, giving Kilkenny a 3-18 to 1-15 victory.
In 1983 Cork’s run of provincial success continued. Hennessy won a second Munster title that year as Cork trounced Waterford for the second consecutive year. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Kilkenny for the second consecutive year also. ‘The Cats’ used a strong wind to dominate the opening half and built up a strong lead. Cork came storming back with goals by Tomás Mulcahy
Tomás Mulcahy
Tomás Mulcahy is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1983 until 1994. Mulcahy currently works as a pundit with The Sunday Game...
and Seánie O'Leary
Seánie O'Leary
Seanie O'Leary is a former Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Youghal and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1971 until 1984.-Early & private life:...
, however, at the full-time whistle Kilkenny had won by 2-14 to 2-12.
1984 was a special year in the annals of Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
as it was the centenary year of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
. The year began well with Hennessy helping his team to victory in the special Centenary Cup
Centenary Cup
The Centenary Cup was a Gaelic Games competition arranged by the Gaelic Athletic Association to mark the centenary of the GAA in 1984.The hurling competition was won by Cork and the football competition was won by Meath.-Hurling:-Football:...
competition. A third Munster winners’ medal soon followed for Hennessy as Cork defeated Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
by 4-15 to 3-14 in a memorable Munster final. The subsequent All-Ireland final, played at Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium, located in Thurles, North Tipperary, Ireland, is the home of hurling for Tipperary GAA and for the province of Munster. It is the second largest stadium in Ireland with a capacity of 53,500....
in Thurles
Thurles
Thurles is a town situated in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly...
, saw Cork take on Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
for the first time ever in championship history. The centenary-year final failed to live up to expectations and Cork recorded a relatively easy 3-16 to 1-12 victory. It was Hennessy's first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
winners’ medal.
In 1985 Hennessy added a fourth Munster title to his collection as Cork defeated Tipperary by 4-17 to 4-11 in the provincial decider. Cork, however, were later defeated by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.
In 1986 Cork made it five-in-a-row in Munster as Cork defeated Clare by 2-18 to 3-12 to take the provincial title. This victory paved the way for an All-Ireland final meeting with Galway. The men from the west were the red-hot favourites against an ageing Cork team, however, on the day a different story unfolded. Four Cork goals, one from John Fenton
John Fenton
John Fenton is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Midleton and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1987. Fenton is regarded as one of Cork's greatest-ever players.-Club:Fenton played his club hurling with his local Midleton club and...
, two from Tomás Mulcahy
Tomás Mulcahy
Tomás Mulcahy is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1983 until 1994. Mulcahy currently works as a pundit with The Sunday Game...
and one from Hennessy, stymied the Galway attack and helped ‘the Rebels’ to a 4-13 to 2-15 victory. It was Hennessy's second All-Ireland winners’ medal.
In 1987 Hennessy was captain as Cork were attempting to make history by winning a record sixth Munster title in-a-row. Tipperary provided the opposition on that occasion, however, the game ended in a draw. The replay in FitzGerald Stadium
FitzGerald Stadium
Fitzgerald Stadium is the principal Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Killarney, Ireland, and is the home championship venue for the Kerry senior football team....
, Killarney
Killarney
Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St...
has gone down in history as one of the great provincial finals. At full-time both sides were level again and extra-time was played. Tipp eventually won the day by 4-22 to 1-22 and it was the first time in five years that Cork were not provincial champions.
Cork went into decline following this game as Tipperary dominated the Munster championship for the next three seasons. More importantly, Hennessy was dropped from the Cokr championship team in 1989. The team returned in 1990 with Hennessy winning a sixth Munster title following an odds defying 4-16 to 2-14 defeat of Tipperary. Cork subsequently qualified for another All-Ireland final showdown with Galway. Once again, Galway were the favourites and wer eout to capture a third All-Ireland title in four seasons. Shortly after half-time the westerners were up by seven points and were cruising to victory. Tomás Mulcahy
Tomás Mulcahy
Tomás Mulcahy is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1983 until 1994. Mulcahy currently works as a pundit with The Sunday Game...
, however, played a captain’s role and scored a crucial goal that revitalised the Cork attack. The final score of 5-15 to 2-21 gave Cork the victory in one of the most open hurling finals in years and gave Hennessy a third All-Ireland winners' medal.
Tipp wrested the Munster title from Cork again in 1991, however, Hennessy won his seventh Munster winners' medal on the field of play in 1992 as Limerick fell to ‘the Rebels.’ After a defeat of Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
, Cork advanced to the All-Ireland final where Kilkenny provided the opposition. It was the two sides’ first meeting in the championship in nine years. All-Ireland victories over Galway and Offaly had given Hennessy three All-Ireland medals, however, a defeat of Cork’s biggest rivals would put the icing on the cake. Kilkenny played into a strong wind in the first-half and were two points in arrears at half-time. ‘The Cats’ fought back and defeated their arch rivals by 3-10 to 1-12
For the next few years Cork hurling went into decline. Hennessy did play in the first two games of Cork's three-game National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
final saga with Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
in 1993, however, he was dropped for the final. He retired following Cork’s defeat in the championship that year.
Inter-provincial
Hennessy also lined out with MunsterMunster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
in the inter-provincial hurling competition and enjoyed much success. He first lined out with his province in 1984 as Munster defeated arch-rivals Leinster
Leinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
by 1-18 to 2-9, giving Hennessy a coveted Railway Cup winners’ medal. He was a key member of the team again in 1985 as Connacht
Connacht GAA
The Connacht Council are a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Connacht.-Constituent counties:*Galway*Leitrim*Mayo*Roscommon*Sligo-Special counties:...
provided the opposition. A 3-6 to 1-11 score line gave Munster the victory and gave Hennessy a second Railway Cup title. He was a member of the Munster team for a third successive year in 1986, however, Connacht gained their revenge for the previous year's defeat. This was Hennessy's last outing with his province.