The Late John Fennelly Mr John Fennelly a long serving Kilkenny councillor who was admired by colleagues from all parties has died at the age of 91. A native of Ballycaum, Stoneyford died peacefully in St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. Mr Fennelly is remembered with affection by his family, friends and political colleagues. "John was a gentleman in every form of the word," said Cllr Tom Brennan, a Fianna Fail colleague who served with Mr Fennelly on the council. "He was like a father to me. He made sure that nobody gave me too much hassle. He was an out and out gentleman". Cllr Tom Maher recalled serving from 1974 to 1985 with Mr Fennelly. "John was just a quiet man that never got into controversy in the chamber or otherwise. He was a great man to take on a job and see it through," the Fine Gael councillor said. "Even though I sat on the opposite of the political fence to John we both worked very well together and I think achieved many things for the area for Stoneyford, Callan, Thomastown, Windgap, Kilmoganny; all the general area that we represented. We achieved quite a bit for it at that time under difficult circumstances." "He was one man that I always stayed friendly with even when he lost his seat," Cllr Maher said. " In 1985 both of us lost our seat and we always met up at least once a year for a chat and a drink afterwards and on a number of occasions he said to me 'You'll always come back, I'll never come back- and he was quite right. I'm still here" the councillor recalled fondly, adding: "He was certainly one of nature's gentlemen." Cllr Dixie Doyle remembers the days he spent canvassing with Mr Fennelly, starting around 10am and making their way from house to house all day and in the evenings. "It was great to go around with John. He was a great canvasser and everyone was merry." Cllr Doyle said. "He always got a good reception." Cllr Matt Doran recalls Mr Fennelly as an extremely hard worker who was very easy to approach. On a recent visit to Mr Fennelly, Cllr Doran found his party colleague still keeping up with the council's work, and still offering advice. Indeed as the late Mick McGuinness once said of his hard-working colleague: "John was instrumental in getting more water flowing for his constituents and others than would make a tropical forest in the Sahara." John Fennelly was born on February 14, 1914 in Ballycaum, Stoneyford . In 1939 he bought a farm in Ennisnag, Stoneyford, where his family still lives today. He married the love of his life, wife Josephine in 1947, and they raised a family of five children: Mary, Brid, Michael, Siobhan and John. His life-long love of hurling began in 1927 when he helped form the Killarney team, playing at Dullard's Hill. It was a passion which he shared with his brothers, at one time the brothers John, Richie, Peter, Michael, Jimmy and Kevin all playing for the Killarney team. Richard and John also figured on the 1937 James Stephens team which defeated Dicksboro in the county senior final, and Killarney first became southern champions in 1940 when the Fennelly brothers were on the team. John and his brothers also played with the Stoneyford team which won junior county championship in 1943. In fact their ability on the pitch led one player to say of the brothers: "I'd prefer to have them with me than against me." Mr Fennelly's ability to work with all sides in the world of politics was likewise true for his interest in sport. Despite the GAA ban on 'foreign sports' at the time, John and his brothers played cricket for the Stoneyford cricket team. He was even reported to the GAA on one occasion and was suspended for a short time. Yet his dedication to sport continued. Mr Fennelly was selector with the St. Paul's 1968 team which won the All Ireland club competition. He was also involved when the team accomplished the feat again in 1969 and 1970 an occasion of extra significance because his daughter Brid was on the panel on all three occasions. It was perhaps inevitable that Mr Fennelly would play such a role in camogie, having two daughters who played the sport. He was also chairman of Kilkenny Camogie Board when Kilkenny captured the All-Ireland title with his daughter Mary on the panel. Taking her father's lead. Mary later became president of the national Camogie Association and also worked with Kilkenny Co. Council- so appropriate considering the closeness of John Fennelly's family. Said his daughter Brid: "More than anything else we were blessed to have such a nice, wonderful husband and father." Mr Fennelly will be lovingly missed by wife Josephine, daughters Mary, Brid (Myres) and Siobhan (Speers), sons Michael and John, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, brothers Peter and Jimmy, nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends. Reposed at his home, Requiem Mass at St Michael's Church, Danesfort, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. A guard of honour was formed in his memory by Co. Council members and official and members of the Fianna Fail party. TF Courtesy of the Kilkenny People 22nd July 2005 Tweet

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