Fennell, Fr. Tom
January 04, 2011Forty-five years ago he flew home to Graiguecullen from Sydney to watch the county football finals.
Fr Tom Fennell, a native of Sleaty, Graiguecullen was back to watch his nephew, Andy Fennell lined out at full back for Graigcullen in the minor final while his older nephew, Mick worn number 11, as the green and red attempted to bridge a gap of 16 years in the senior final.
On the second Sunday in October the huge Graiguecullen expedition headed for O'Moore Park full of confidence but Emo once again denied a first title since winning five in a row in the late 1940's and their loyal followers were silenced. As the teams paraded before the senior final the stadium announcer told the crowd that the ball for the start of the senior final would be thrown in by a very special guest of the association, parish priest of Sydney, Austrailia, Fr Tom Fennell.
The Carlow border club followers wondered if this man might bring about change of luck. He did, Graiguecullen were not to be denied for the second year in a row.
Tom Fennell was born just inside the Laois border in Sleaty in the house that today is the headquaters of Laois county council, south east district.
Having gone to national school in Graiguecullen, he spent time in Killashee house outside Naas, where he played football. At 16 he was part of the Laois minor team that reached the All-Ireland final, having beaten Louth in the Leinster final.
When he studied for the preisthood he moved to Carlow College in 1935 and in 1942 was ordained there. His first posting was across the water in London but soon after he moved to Australia, where he ministered in the dioceses of Sydney for 68 years, working in a number of parishes until his final parish Cronualla, where he retired 21 years ago.
After spending years in Australia he and several colleagues travelled by ocean liner to Japan at the request of then bishop of Sydney. Fr. Fennell was designated to the diocese of Osaka, which had been devastated after the war following the bombing of Pearl Harbour by Japanese forces.
Fr Fennell often spoke of the awful sights that he and his colleagues faced following the atrocities of the war, but they worked hard and made many friends.
Another close friend was Fr Kevin O'Neill of Trumera and president of Carlow College. This week he spoke of the sadness at the death of Fr Tom, their oldest past pupil, whom he described as an unbelievable cleric and a fierce proud Laois man, who up to recently followed their fortunes through The Nationalist and the internet.
In 1950, after the war had abated, Fr Tom returned to Australia where he was posted to Sydney and was appointed parish priest in Bexley in1960. For almost 70 years Fr Tom served and preached the gospel and after he returned in 1950. He was joined by his niece Mary who became his parish secretary.
Fr Fennell enjoyed wonderful health and always remained in touch with his family in Graiguecullen. On journeys home he paid visits to Bill Delaney and the 'Boy Wonder' Tommy Murphy, but little did he think that not since he threw in that ball 45 years ago of his father John would fail to add to their laurels.
Fr Fennell died on wedensday 15 December.
Concelebrated Mass of for Fr Thomas Fennell took place in Australia, while his family held a special memorial service in St Clare's Church, Graiguecullen on Sunday 19 December.
Courtesy of the Carlow Nationalist 4/1/11 Tweet
