Joe McKenna
Encyclopedia
Joe McKenna is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club South Liberties
and with the Limerick
senior inter-county team from 1971 until 1985. McKenna later served as manager
of the Limerick senior inter-county team.
He now operates a successful business, selling tools, machinery and DIY equipment in Limerick city.
with the famous South Liberties
club in Limerick and enjoyed much success. He won his first senior county title
in 1972. Four years later in 1976 McKenna captured a second county medal, however, South Liberties were later defeated by Glen Rovers
in the Munster
club final. 1978 saw him add a third county title before collecting a fourth county medal in 1981. Once again South Liberies were later defeated by Mount Sion in the Munster club final.
minor and under-21 teams. In 1971 he joined the Limerick senior team, however, it would take some time before he gained a regular splace on the team. In 1973 McKenna was a non-playing substitute when Limerick defeated Tipperary
to win the Munster
title for the first time since 1955. Although he played no part in that game he was on the starting fifteen for the subsequent All-Ireland final against Kilkenny
. Limerick outplayed Kilkenny throughout the eighty minutes and captured a 1-21 to 1-14 victory, giving McKenna his sole All-Ireland
medal. In 1974 he won his first Munster title on the field of play as Limerick trounced Clare
in the provincial final. McKenna’s side later faced Kilkenny for the second year in-a-row, however, ‘the Cats’ had a comfortable twelve point victory over Limerick. The team faded out of the limelight for a number of years, however, Limerick bounced back in 1980 with McKenna capturing a second Munster title. His side later took on Galway
in the championship decider, however, for the first time since 1923 the men from the West captured the All-Ireland title in an emoional display at Croke Park
. Limerick were back in 1981 with McKenna adding a third Munster medal to his collection. Unfortunately, Limerick were later defeated by Gaway in an All-Ireland semi-final replay. Now in the twighlight of his career McKenna captured a National Hurling League
medal in 1984. He retired from inter-county hurling in 1985.
McKenna was honoured with 6 GAA All Stars Awards
, in 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981.
in the inter-provincial hurling competition and won Railway Cup titles in 1976, 1981 and 1984.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
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 South Liberties
South Liberties GAA Club
South Liberties is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Limerick, Ireland. The club is based in the parish of Donoughmore-Knockea-Roxboro, on the southern outskirts of Limerick City and is affiliated to the East Board of Limerick GAA. It is one of the oldest clubs in the country, founded...
and with the 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...
senior inter-county team from 1971 until 1985. McKenna later served as manager
Manager (Gaelic games)
In Gaelic games, a manager or coach is an individual involved in the direction and instruction of the on-field operations of a team. Managing, or coaching, entails the application of sport tactics and strategies during the game itself, and usually entails substitution of players and other such...
of the Limerick senior inter-county team.
He now operates a successful business, selling tools, machinery and DIY equipment in Limerick city.
Club
McKenna 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 famous South Liberties
South Liberties GAA Club
South Liberties is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Limerick, Ireland. The club is based in the parish of Donoughmore-Knockea-Roxboro, on the southern outskirts of Limerick City and is affiliated to the East Board of Limerick GAA. It is one of the oldest clubs in the country, founded...
club in Limerick and enjoyed much success. He won his first senior county title
Limerick Senior Hurling Championship
The Limerick Senior Hurling Championship is an annual club competition between the top Limerick Clubs. The winners of the Limerick Championship qualify to represent their county in the Munster Club Championship and in turn, go on to the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship...
in 1972. Four years later in 1976 McKenna captured a second county medal, however, South Liberties were later defeated by Glen Rovers
Glen Rovers GAA
Glen Rovers is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Ballyvolane and Blackpool areas of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1916 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-Colours:...
in the 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 final. 1978 saw him add a third county title before collecting a fourth county medal in 1981. Once again South Liberies were later defeated by Mount Sion in the Munster club final.
Inter-county
McKenna first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the LimerickLimerick 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...
minor and under-21 teams. In 1971 he joined the Limerick senior team, however, it would take some time before he gained a regular splace on the team. In 1973 McKenna was a non-playing substitute when Limerick 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...
to win the 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....
title for the first time since 1955. Although he played no part in that game he was on the starting fifteen for the subsequent All-Ireland final against 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...
. Limerick outplayed Kilkenny throughout the eighty minutes and captured a 1-21 to 1-14 victory, giving McKenna his sole 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....
medal. In 1974 he won his first Munster title on the field of play as Limerick trounced Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
in the provincial final. McKenna’s side later faced Kilkenny for the second year in-a-row, however, ‘the Cats’ had a comfortable twelve point victory over Limerick. The team faded out of the limelight for a number of years, however, Limerick bounced back in 1980 with McKenna capturing a second Munster title. His side later took on 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,...
in the championship decider, however, for the first time since 1923 the men from the West captured the All-Ireland title in an emoional display at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
. Limerick were back in 1981 with McKenna adding a third Munster medal to his collection. Unfortunately, Limerick were later defeated by Gaway in an All-Ireland semi-final replay. Now in the twighlight of his career McKenna captured 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...
medal in 1984. He retired from inter-county hurling in 1985.
McKenna was honoured with 6 GAA All Stars Awards
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
, in 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981.
Provincial
McKenna 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 won Railway Cup titles in 1976, 1981 and 1984.