Seán Kenny (hurler)
Encyclopedia
Seán Kenny was an Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Borris-Ileigh
and was a member of the Tipperary
senior inter-county team in the 1940s and 1950s. Kenny captained Tipperary to the All-Ireland
title in 1950.
, County Tipperary
in 1923. He was born into a family that ahd a strong asosciation with the game of hurling. His uncle, Patrick Harty, captained the Tipperary
team that won the All-Ireland
junior title in 1930. Kenny was educated at the local national school and later attended Thurles
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where his own hurling skills were developed. In 1939 he captained the school to both Dean Ryan (under-17) and Dr. Harty Cup
(under-19) titles.
he was the granded of the great sean and shane kenny yet to play for tipp
and enjoyed much success.He was captain of the club team in 1949 as Borris-Ileigh defeated Kickham's to take their very first senior county championship
. Kenny added a second county winners' medal to his collection in 1950 as Borris-Ileigh retained their title. He captured a third and final county title in 1953.
minor hurling team in the Munster final. Cork, however, were the victors that day.
Kenny's skill at club level was quickly noted and he soon made it onto the Tipperary
senior hurling team. In was in his debut season that he enjoyed his first major success when Tipp defeated Limerick
by 1-16 to 2-10, giving Kenny a coveted Munster
winners' medal. He subsequently lined out in his first ALl-Ireland final at senior level. Surprisingly, Laois
were the opponents on that occasion, however, the result was expected. Tipp opened the floodgates with a Paddy Kenny
goal before Jimmy Kennedy added two more goals in the second-half. At the full-time whistle Tipp were the victors by 3-11 to 0-3 and Kenny had captured a coveted All-Ireland
.
In 1950 Kenny was captain of the team as he added a National Hurling League
winners' medal to his collection before further provincial glory followed. A 2-17 to 3-11 defeat of Cork gave him a second consecutive Munster medal and an easy passage into another All-Ireland final. Kilkenny
provided the opposition on that occasion in a close but uninterseting game. At the final whistle Tipp emerged the victors by 1-9 to 1-8 giving Kenny a second All-Ireland medal. He also had the honour of lifting the Liam McCarthy Cup
on behalf of his county.
In 1951 Kenny was capatin of the team again, however, his intercounty activity was curtailed due to an injury he sustained in a provincial game against Waterford
. He missed Tipp's third consecutive Munster final triumph, however, he came on as a substitute in the subsequent All-Ireland final. Nicky Rackard
had been Wexford's star goal-poacher throughout the year, however, his artistry was beaten by Tony Reddin
in the Tipperary goal-mouth in that game. Séamus Bannon
, Tim Ryan and Paddy Kenny got the goals in the second quarter that did the damage, however, Tipp forged ahead to win by 7-7 to 3-9. It was Kenny's third consecutive All-Ireland medal.
Kenny’s career at inter-county level ended shortly after that game as a chronic knee injury forced him to retire.
in 1949 and 1950 (as captain).
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...
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 Borris-Ileigh
Borris-Ileigh GAA
Borris-Ileigh GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club is located in the town of Borrisoleigh in north County Tipperary, Ireland.- Honours :*All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship: 1987...
and was a member of the 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...
senior inter-county team in the 1940s and 1950s. Kenny captained Tipperary to the 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....
title in 1950.
Early life
Seán Kenny was born in BorrisoleighBorrisoleigh
Borrisoleigh is a small town in North Tipperary in Ireland. According to the 2006 census, the town has a population of 1,178. The parish, which encompasses , has a population of just 2,000--down from a high count of 7,000 taken in 1842, before the Potato Famine. It is in the barony of Kilnamanagh...
, County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
in 1923. He was born into a family that ahd a strong asosciation with the game of hurling. His uncle, Patrick Harty, captained the 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...
team that won the All-Ireland
All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship was a hurling competition organized by the Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland. The competition was originally contested by the second teams of the strong counties, and the first teams of the weaker counties...
junior title in 1930. Kenny was educated at the local national school and later attended 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...
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Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
where his own hurling skills were developed. In 1939 he captained the school to both Dean Ryan (under-17) and Dr. Harty Cup
Dr. Harty Cup
The Dr. Harty Cup is a hurling competition for schools in the province of Munster in Ireland. The cup is presented to the winners of the Munster Colleges Senior "A" Hurling Championship. Players have to be under the age of 19 to compete. The winning team represents Munster in the Dr. Croke Cup...
(under-19) titles.
he was the granded of the great sean and shane kenny yet to play for tipp
Club
Kenny played his club hurling with his local club in Borris-IleighBorris-Ileigh GAA
Borris-Ileigh GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club is located in the town of Borrisoleigh in north County Tipperary, Ireland.- Honours :*All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship: 1987...
and enjoyed much success.He was captain of the club team in 1949 as Borris-Ileigh defeated Kickham's to take their very first senior county championship
Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship
The Tipperary Senior Hurling Club Championship is an annual club competition between the top Tipperary hurling clubs...
. Kenny added a second county winners' medal to his collection in 1950 as Borris-Ileigh retained their title. He captured a third and final county title in 1953.
Inter-county
Kenny first came to prominence on the inter-county scene in 1941 when he captained the TipperaryTipperary 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...
minor hurling team in the Munster final. Cork, however, were the victors that day.
Kenny's skill at club level was quickly noted and he soon made it onto the 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...
senior hurling team. In was in his debut season that he enjoyed his first major success when Tipp defeated 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...
by 1-16 to 2-10, giving Kenny a coveted Munster
Munster 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. He subsequently lined out in his first ALl-Ireland final at senior level. Surprisingly, Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
were the opponents on that occasion, however, the result was expected. Tipp opened the floodgates with a Paddy Kenny
Paddy Kenny (hurler)
Paddy Kenny was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Borrisoleigh and with the Tipperary senior inter-county team in the 1940s and 1950s. Kenny is regarded as one of Tipperary’s greatest-ever players.-Club:...
goal before Jimmy Kennedy added two more goals in the second-half. At the full-time whistle Tipp were the victors by 3-11 to 0-3 and Kenny had captured a coveted 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....
.
In 1950 Kenny was captain of the team as he added a 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...
winners' medal to his collection before further provincial glory followed. A 2-17 to 3-11 defeat of Cork gave him a second consecutive Munster medal and an easy passage into another All-Ireland final. 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...
provided the opposition on that occasion in a close but uninterseting game. At the final whistle Tipp emerged the victors by 1-9 to 1-8 giving Kenny a second All-Ireland medal. He also had the honour of lifting the Liam McCarthy Cup
Liam McCarthy Cup
The MacCarthy Perpetual Challenge Cup is a trophy awarded annually by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the hurling team that wins the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.-The trophy:...
on behalf of his county.
In 1951 Kenny was capatin of the team again, however, his intercounty activity was curtailed due to an injury he sustained in a provincial game against 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...
. He missed Tipp's third consecutive Munster final triumph, however, he came on as a substitute in the subsequent All-Ireland final. Nicky Rackard
Nicky Rackard
Nicholas Rackard better known as Nicky or Nickey Rackard, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local Rathnure club and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county team from 1940 until 1956...
had been Wexford's star goal-poacher throughout the year, however, his artistry was beaten by Tony Reddin
Tony Reddin
Martin Charles Reddington , better known as Tony Reddin, is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling at various times with his local clubs Castlegar in Galway and Lorrha-Dorrha in Tipperary from the 1930s until the 1950s...
in the Tipperary goal-mouth in that game. Séamus Bannon
Séamus Bannon
Séamus Bannon is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling at various with his local clubs Nenagh Éire Óg in Tipperary and Young Irelands in Dublin and was a member of the Tipperary senior inter-county team in the 1940s and 1950s. Bannon won three All-Ireland and three Munster titles with...
, Tim Ryan and Paddy Kenny got the goals in the second quarter that did the damage, however, Tipp forged ahead to win by 7-7 to 3-9. It was Kenny's third consecutive All-Ireland medal.
Kenny’s career at inter-county level ended shortly after that game as a chronic knee injury forced him to retire.
Provincial
Kenny also won two Railway Cup medals 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 1949 and 1950 (as captain).