The Late Paddy Kenny The death of former Tipperary hurling great Paddy Kenny occasioned great sadness throughout the Premier County as one of the finest players of his generation was called ashore by the Great Referee. A native of Borrisoleigh, Paddy came to national prominence with Tipperary as a result of his silken hurling skills and deadly accuracy which were to be the hallmark of the man throughout his career. He played in three All-Ireland minor hurling finals in 1945, '46 and '47 winning the latter when he captained the side which defeated Dublin in Croke Park. Paddy had been a product of the famed hurling nursery in Thurles CBS and together with his brothers Sean and Phippie, they backboned many a Borrisoleigh side to great acclaim and success. He played a pivotal role in Borrisoleigh winning three county senior hurling championships in 1949, 1950 and 1953 and he also won county championships with Thurles Sarsfields when he moved to the Cathedral Town. Paddy represented Munster at Railway Cup level and had a number of Railway Cup medals to his name. He also hurled with Young Irelands in Dublin for a time. He was a unique forward with a deadly shot and superb accuracy. His unorthodox free free taking style struck fear into defenses and Kenny was feared throughout the land as an attacker who could do untold damage when in possession of the sliothar. In his book The Clash of the Ash, legendary GAA scribe, the late Raymond Smith said of him "Paddy of the deadly shot who could slam a ball to the net faster than any I know, was tremendous from close-in frees." Paddy was regarded as a master of tactician and he brought his huge volume of experience and knowledge to bear in a number of clubs throughout Tipperary where he coached and managed teams. Among those he coached were Gortnahoe Glengoole, Loughmore-Castleleiney and Holycross-Ballycahill, whom he led to county honours in the early nineties. His eagerness and enthusiasm for the game of hurling never waned and Paddy was also regarded as a fine hurley maker when his skill and knowhow crafted many a sweet stick. Upon his move to Thurles, Paddy quickly established himself in the community. Together with his wife Mary and their children Denis and Patrick, Jane, Veronica, Susan, Patricia and the late Marena, the Kenny family were very well known and highly respected. Their home at Friar Street was always open where Paddy's welcoming handshake and kindly manner was always a pleasure. He had a keen sense of fun and was always willing and able to express his opinions to those he knew and respected. Paddy was very much involved in Fine Gael and his interest in politics brought him to stand for election to Thurles Urban District Council,. His interest in politics remained with him to the very end as did his interest in the GAA. Paddy was a good and kindly neighbour and his contribution to life in Friar Street was very significant indeed. He was ever present and loved to walk up and down the street meeting with the passer-by and sharing a word or two with those who had time to stop and chat about the current affairs of the day. The Kenny family are held in the highest of regard in Thurles and throughout the Premier County. This esteem was borne out by the huge throngs of people who came to pay their final respects to a man who had thrilled and entertained many thousands during his life. Paddy's Remains were removed from St Mary's Funeral Home - a stones throw from Semple Stadium where he displayed his vast array of skills - to the assumption, where Requiem Mass took place. Paddy was laid to rest in St Patrick's Cemetery, Thurles. There were guards of honour from the Sarsfields and Borrisoleigh clubs while the flags and a Tipperary jersey were draped over his coffin. His family received tremendous support from hundreds of friends and neighbours over this period and especially during Paddy's illness which he borne with great dignity and fortitude. A minute silence was observed at the National hurling League Game in Semple Stadium between Tipperary and Galway and tributes were paid to Paddy and another former Tipperary hurler Willie Wall of Carrick who also died over the same weekend. And, Drombane GAA pitch also fell silent prior to his native Borrisoleigh taking on Holycross-Ballycahill. Paddy's remains were received by the Patron of the Sarsfield club, rev. Fr. Eugene Everard while GAA Patron, Archbishop Dermot Clifford was also present. There too in the congregation were Munster Council Chairman Sean Fogarty; County Board Chairman, Donie Shanahan and many of Paddy's club and county colleagues and opponents. Paddy Kenny will be missed in GAA circles and in-and-around Friar Street and Thurles. However, his wife Mary, his sons Denis and Patrick, and his daughters Jane, Veronica, Susan and Patricia, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, relatives and close friends will miss him most. They have lost a dedicated and loving father, but their memories of a unique man will live on or a long time to come in their recollections of him. Ar dheis De go raibh a Anam dilis. Courtesy of the Tipperary Star, April, 2004 Tweet

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