Paddy Kenny (hurler)
Encyclopedia
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.
with his local Borrisoleigh club and enjoyed much success. He won three senior county titles
with the club in 1949, 1950 and 1953.
minor hurling team in the mid-1940s. He won a Munster
medal in this grade in 1945, however, Tipp later lost the All-Ireland final to Dublin
. In 1946 Kenny won a second Munster minor title, however, Dublin overcame Tipp in the championship decider for a second consecutive year. In 1947 Kenny was captain of the Tipperary minor team. That year he captured his third consecutive Munster medal before later leading his team out in Croke Park
for the championship decider. Galway
provided the opposition on that occasion, however, it was Tipp who won the game, giving Kenny a coveted All-Ireland
minor medal.
Kenny later joined the Tipperary senior team. He won his first Munster
senior medal after coming on as a substitute in Tipp’s 1949 provincial final victory over Limerick
. Kenny later lined out in his first championship decider at Croke Park
where Laois
, the surprise winners of the Leinster championship, provided the opposition. The game turned into a rout as Tipp trounced Laois on a score line of 3-11 to 0-3 giving Kenny his first senior All-Ireland
medal. In 1950 Kenny added a National Hurling League
title to his collection before winning a second Munster title following a victory over arch-rivals Cork. This victory allowed Tipp to advance to the All-Ireland final where Kilkenny
were the opponents. It was Tipp, however, who won a close and uninteresting final on a score line of 1-9 to 1-8 giving Kenny his second All-Ireland medal. 1951 saw Tipp aim to capture a third championship in-a-row. The year began well with the Premier County getting the better of Cork in the Munster final. That victory gave Kenny his third provincial title and allowed Tipp to play in their third consecutive championship decider. Wexford
took on Tipp in that game, however, victory went to the Munstermen on a score line of 7-7 to 3-9. Kenny had captured his third consecutive All-Ireland medal. With the three-in-a-row under their belt the men from Tipperary launched an all out bid to capture a fourth championship in-a-row. Things started well in 1952 with Kenny winning a second National League title. Tipperary, however, were later beaten by Cork in a thrilling Munster final. In 1954 Kenny won a third National League medal, however, Cork went on to defeat Tipp in a third consecutive Munster final. Three years later in 1957 he won a fourth National League medal before retiring from inter-county activity following Tipp’s exit from the championship.
in the inter-provincial hurling championship. He won four Railway Cup titles in 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1957.
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 Borrisoleigh and with 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 is regarded as one of Tipperary’s greatest-ever players.
Club
Kenny 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 his local Borrisoleigh club and enjoyed much success. He won three senior county titles
Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship
The Tipperary Senior Hurling Club Championship is an annual club competition between the top Tipperary hurling clubs...
with the club in 1949, 1950 and 1953.
Inter-county
Kenny first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of 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 mid-1940s. He won a Munster
Munster 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...
medal in this grade in 1945, however, Tipp later lost the All-Ireland final to 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...
. In 1946 Kenny won a second Munster minor title, however, Dublin overcame Tipp in the championship decider for a second consecutive year. In 1947 Kenny was captain of the Tipperary minor team. That year he captured his third consecutive Munster medal before later leading his team 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...
for the 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 Tipp who won the game, giving Kenny 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 medal.
Kenny later joined the Tipperary senior team. He won his first 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....
senior medal after coming on as a substitute in Tipp’s 1949 provincial final victory over 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...
. Kenny later lined out in his first championship decider 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...
where 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:...
, the surprise winners of the Leinster championship, provided the opposition. The game turned into a rout as Tipp trounced Laois on a score line of 3-11 to 0-3 giving Kenny his first senior 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 1950 Kenny 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...
title to his collection before winning a second Munster title following a victory over arch-rivals Cork. This victory allowed Tipp to advance to the All-Ireland final where 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...
were the opponents. It was Tipp, however, who won a close and uninteresting final on a score line of 1-9 to 1-8 giving Kenny his second All-Ireland medal. 1951 saw Tipp aim to capture a third championship in-a-row. The year began well with the Premier County getting the better of Cork in the Munster final. That victory gave Kenny his third provincial title and allowed Tipp to play in their third consecutive championship decider. 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...
took on Tipp in that game, however, victory went to the Munstermen on a score line of 7-7 to 3-9. Kenny had captured his third consecutive All-Ireland medal. With the three-in-a-row under their belt the men from Tipperary launched an all out bid to capture a fourth championship in-a-row. Things started well in 1952 with Kenny winning a second National League title. Tipperary, however, were later beaten by Cork in a thrilling Munster final. In 1954 Kenny won a third National League medal, however, Cork went on to defeat Tipp in a third consecutive Munster final. Three years later in 1957 he won a fourth National League medal before retiring from inter-county activity following Tipp’s exit from the championship.
Provincial
Kenny 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 championship. He won four Railway Cup titles in 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1957.