Michael Fennelly (hurler)
Encyclopedia
Michael Fennelly is an Irish
sportsperson. He plays hurling
with his local club Ballyhale Shamrocks
and has been a member of the Kilkenny
senior inter-county team since 2006. Fennelly captained Kilkenny to a fourth consecutive All-Ireland
title in 2009.
and has enjoyed much success. He first came to prominence on the club's under-21 team that captured a unique four-in-a-row of under-21 Roinn A titles. These victories occurred in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. This achievement overtook the previous record of three-in-a-row which was set by Ballyhale in 1972, 1973 and 1974.
Fennelly subsequently joined the Ballyhale senior team. He lined out in the county final of 2006 with O'Loughlin Gaels
providing the opposition. A classic was expected, however, Ballyhale were far too strong on the day. A 1-22 to 2-11 score line gave Fennelly a coveted county senior championship winners' medal. Ballyhale later reached the final of the provincial club championship and defeated Birr
. It was Fennelly's first Leinster
club title. The club later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Loughrea of Galway providing the opposition. Fitzpatrick played a key role in that game and went on to collect a coveted All-Ireland
club medal.
2007 saw Ballyhale continued their winning ways with the club winning a second consecutive county title following a trouncng of St. Martin's
. Fennelly's side were later defeated in the Leinster club semi-final by Birr
.
In 2008 Ballyhale were the masters of Kilkenny club hurling once again. Fennelly helped his club to qualify for a fourth consecutive county final. City rivals James Stephens provided the opposition on that occasion, however, a close game saw victory go to Fennelly's side. It was a third county title in-a-row for 'the Shamrocks'. Fennelly later claimed another Leinster club title following a 2-13 to 1-11 defeat of great rivals Birr in the provincial decider. Their great run of success came to a halt with a thrilling defeat by Portumna
in the All-Ireland semi-final.
minor hurling team in the early 2000s. He won his first Leinster
title in this grade in 2003 and he later lined out in his first minor championship decider. Galway
provided the opposition on that occasion; however, it was Kilkenny who won the game, giving Fennelly a coveted All-Ireland
medal.
Fennelly later moved on to the county under-21 team with whom he won his first Leinster
under-21 title in 2004. He later played a key part as his native-county recorded an All-Ireland
final victory over Tipperary
in the championship decider. 2005 saw Fennelly add a second Leinster under-21 medal to his collection; however, 'the Cats' were later defeated by Galway in the All-Ireland final. In 2006 he won a third consecutive Leinster under-21 title before collecting a second All-Ireland under-21 medal after a defeat of Tipperary in a replay at Semple Stadium
after a thrilling draw had been played out in Croke Park
the previous week.
. He began the year by winning both Walsh Cup
and National Hurling League
honours with Kilkenny. These victories were followed by Fennelly winning his first senior Leinster
title following a win over Wexford
. Kilkenny later defeated Cork to win the All-Ireland final, however, Fennelly played no part in that game.
In 2007 Fennelly regained his place on the Kilkenny team. After losing the National League final the team move don undeterred and Fitzpatrick collected a second Leinster medal following another facile victory in the provincial decider. After a minor scare against Galway Kilkenny later qualified for the All-Ireland final where, surprisingly, Limerick
provided the opposition. Kilkenny got off to a flying start with Eddie Brennan
and Henry Shefflin
scoring two goals within the first ten minutes. Fennelly came on as a substitute at half-time, however, Shefflin sustained an injury during the game and had to retire. In spite of losing their captain and star player Kilkenny still went on to win the game by 2-19 to 1-15. It was Fennelly's first All-Ireland medal on the field of play.
2008 saw Kilkenny launch an all-out attack in an attempt to capture a third All-Ireland title in-a-row. Fennelly only made one championship appearance that year, however, Kilkenny defeated Waterford
by 3-30 to 1-13 to take a third consecutive All-Ireland title.
In 2009 Fennelly was honoured by being appointed captain of the Kilkenny senior hurling team for the year, however, he still failed to establish himself on the team. J.J. Delaney
and Henry Shefflin
deputised as captains during his absences. Fennelly missed out on lifting the Walsh Cup
at the start of the year because Ballyhale Shamrocks were still involved in the All-Ireland club series. The subsequent National League campaign saw Kilkenny reach the final and line out against Tipperary
. Fennelly was due to start at midfield, however, he was struck down with an illness and could not even travel with the team. Kilkenny won that game in spite of their captain's absence. Fennelly's appearances in the subsequent provincial and All-Ireland championships were also sporadic. After starting at midfield in Kilkenny's Leinster semi-final defeat of Galway, he was dropped for the subsequent provincial decider. Kilkenny defeated Dublin
by 2-18 to 0-18 on that occasion, and Fennelly collected the famous Bob O'Keeffe Cup as a non-playing captain. His next appearance with Kilkenny was as a substitute in the All-Ireland final against Tipperary. For much of the match it looked as if Tipp would pull off a shock and deny 'the Cats' a record-equaling four-in-a-row. Two quick goals in the space of a minute sealed a 2-22 to 0-23 victory. Fennelly thus became the fourth consecutive Kilkenny captain to lif the famed Liam McCarthy Cup
.
In 2011 Fennelly was named as the GAA GPA Hurler of the year.
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 plays 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 Ballyhale Shamrocks
Ballyhale Shamrocks GAA
Ballyhale Shamrocks is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the parish of Ballyhale in County Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1972 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling...
and has been a member of the 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...
senior inter-county team since 2006. Fennelly captained Kilkenny to a fourth consecutive 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 2009.
Club
Fennelly plays his club hurling with his local club Ballyhale ShamrocksBallyhale Shamrocks GAA
Ballyhale Shamrocks is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the parish of Ballyhale in County Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1972 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling...
and has enjoyed much success. He first came to prominence on the club's under-21 team that captured a unique four-in-a-row of under-21 Roinn A titles. These victories occurred in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. This achievement overtook the previous record of three-in-a-row which was set by Ballyhale in 1972, 1973 and 1974.
Fennelly subsequently joined the Ballyhale senior team. He lined out in the county final of 2006 with O'Loughlin Gaels
O'Loughlin Gaels GAA
O'Loughlin Gaels is a Gaelic Athletic Association club situated in the St. John’s parish of Kilkenny city, County Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1969, replacing the St. John’s Hurling Club that started back in 1887....
providing the opposition. A classic was expected, however, Ballyhale were far too strong on the day. A 1-22 to 2-11 score line gave Fennelly a coveted county senior championship winners' medal. Ballyhale later reached the final of the provincial club championship and defeated Birr
Birr GAA
Birr GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling and are one of the most successful club hurling teams in the country.-Honours:...
. It was Fennelly's first Leinster
Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship
The Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual Hurling tournament played between the winners of the senior club hurling championships of the counties in Leinster. The current holders of the Leinster title are Ballyhale Shamrocks from Kilkenny. The first Leinster senior club hurling...
club title. The club later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Loughrea of Galway providing the opposition. Fitzpatrick played a key role in that game and went on to collect 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 medal.
2007 saw Ballyhale continued their winning ways with the club winning a second consecutive county title following a trouncng of St. Martin's
St. Martin's GAA
St. Martin's are a Gaelic Athletic Association Club based in the Ballyfoyle/Coon/Muckalee area of County Kilkenny, Ireland.-History:The club was formed in 1982 following an amalgamation of the clubs in the parishes Muckalee/Ballyfoyle Rangers and Coon...
. Fennelly's side were later defeated in the Leinster club semi-final by Birr
Birr GAA
Birr GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling and are one of the most successful club hurling teams in the country.-Honours:...
.
In 2008 Ballyhale were the masters of Kilkenny club hurling once again. Fennelly helped his club to qualify for a fourth consecutive county final. City rivals James Stephens provided the opposition on that occasion, however, a close game saw victory go to Fennelly's side. It was a third county title in-a-row for 'the Shamrocks'. Fennelly later claimed another Leinster club title following a 2-13 to 1-11 defeat of great rivals Birr in the provincial decider. Their great run of success came to a halt with a thrilling defeat by Portumna
Portumna GAA
Portumna GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Portumna in County Galway. The club is almost exclusively focused on hurling.-History:...
in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Minor & under-21
Fennelly first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the KilkennyKilkenny 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...
minor hurling team in the early 2000s. He won his first Leinster
Leinster Minor Hurling Championship
The ESB Leinster Minor Hurling Championship is the Minor "knockout" competition in the game of Hurling played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council...
title in this grade in 2003 and he later lined out in his first minor championship decider. 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,...
provided the opposition on that occasion; however, it was Kilkenny who won the game, giving Fennelly 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...
medal.
Fennelly later moved on to the county under-21 team with whom he won his first Leinster
Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship
For the Senior equivalent see: Leinster Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe Leinster U-21 Hurling Championship or for sponsorship reasons the Erin Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship is an U-21 hurling tournament. The first tournament took place in 1964 when Wexford were crowned champions. Wexford...
under-21 title in 2004. He later played a key part as his native-county recorded an 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...
final victory over 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...
in the championship decider. 2005 saw Fennelly add a second Leinster under-21 medal to his collection; however, 'the Cats' were later defeated by Galway in the All-Ireland final. In 2006 he won a third consecutive Leinster under-21 title before collecting a second All-Ireland under-21 medal after a defeat of Tipperary in a replay 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....
after a thrilling draw had been played out in Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
the previous week.
Senior
Fennelly made his senior debut for 'the Cats' in 2006 and proved to be a new find for manager Brian CodyBrian Cody
Brian Cody is an Irish hurling manager and former player, currently managing the Kilkenny senior inter-county team, where he has been in charge since 1998...
. He began the year by winning both Walsh Cup
Walsh Cup
Walsh Cup may refer to:* The Walsh Cup , an inter-county and colleges hurling competition in the province of Leinster in Ireland* The Walsh Cup , a contest between the U.S. Naval Academy and Wisconsin Men's Varsity Eight rowing teams...
and 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...
honours with Kilkenny. These victories were followed by Fennelly winning his first senior Leinster
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster 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 Leinster in Ireland....
title following a win over 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...
. Kilkenny later defeated Cork to win the All-Ireland final, however, Fennelly played no part in that game.
In 2007 Fennelly regained his place on the Kilkenny team. After losing the National League final the team move don undeterred and Fitzpatrick collected a second Leinster medal following another facile victory in the provincial decider. After a minor scare against Galway Kilkenny later qualified for the All-Ireland final where, surprisingly, 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...
provided the opposition. Kilkenny got off to a flying start with Eddie Brennan
Eddie Brennan
Eddie Brennan is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Graigue-Ballycallan and has been a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team since 2000.-Biography:...
and Henry Shefflin
Henry Shefflin
Henry Shefflin is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Ballyhale Shamrocks and has been a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team since 1999...
scoring two goals within the first ten minutes. Fennelly came on as a substitute at half-time, however, Shefflin sustained an injury during the game and had to retire. In spite of losing their captain and star player Kilkenny still went on to win the game by 2-19 to 1-15. It was Fennelly's first All-Ireland medal on the field of play.
2008 saw Kilkenny launch an all-out attack in an attempt to capture a third All-Ireland title in-a-row. Fennelly only made one championship appearance that year, however, Kilkenny defeated 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...
by 3-30 to 1-13 to take a third consecutive All-Ireland title.
In 2009 Fennelly was honoured by being appointed captain of the Kilkenny senior hurling team for the year, however, he still failed to establish himself on the team. J.J. Delaney
J.J. Delaney
J.J. Delaney is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Fenians and has been a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team since 2001.-Biography:...
and Henry Shefflin
Henry Shefflin
Henry Shefflin is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Ballyhale Shamrocks and has been a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team since 1999...
deputised as captains during his absences. Fennelly missed out on lifting the Walsh Cup
Walsh Cup
Walsh Cup may refer to:* The Walsh Cup , an inter-county and colleges hurling competition in the province of Leinster in Ireland* The Walsh Cup , a contest between the U.S. Naval Academy and Wisconsin Men's Varsity Eight rowing teams...
at the start of the year because Ballyhale Shamrocks were still involved in the All-Ireland club series. The subsequent National League campaign saw Kilkenny reach the final and line out against 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...
. Fennelly was due to start at midfield, however, he was struck down with an illness and could not even travel with the team. Kilkenny won that game in spite of their captain's absence. Fennelly's appearances in the subsequent provincial and All-Ireland championships were also sporadic. After starting at midfield in Kilkenny's Leinster semi-final defeat of Galway, he was dropped for the subsequent provincial decider. Kilkenny defeated Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
by 2-18 to 0-18 on that occasion, and Fennelly collected the famous Bob O'Keeffe Cup as a non-playing captain. His next appearance with Kilkenny was as a substitute in the All-Ireland final against Tipperary. For much of the match it looked as if Tipp would pull off a shock and deny 'the Cats' a record-equaling four-in-a-row. Two quick goals in the space of a minute sealed a 2-22 to 0-23 victory. Fennelly thus became the fourth consecutive Kilkenny captain to lif the famed 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:...
.
In 2011 Fennelly was named as the GAA GPA Hurler of the year.