Seán Kenny (hurler)

Infobox GAA player
code= Hurling
sport = Hurling


name = Seán Kenny
irish = Seán Ó Cionnaith
fullname = Seán Kenny
placeofbirth = Borrisoleigh
countryofbirth = County Tipperary
dob =
dob =
height =
nickname =
county = Tipperary
province = Munster
club = Borris-Ileigh
clposition = Midfield
clubs =
clyears =
clapps(points) =
clcounty =
clprovince=
clallireland =
counties = Tipperary
icposition = Midfield
icyears = 1949-1951
icapps(points) =
icprovince = 2
icallireland = 3
allstars =
clupdate =
icupdate =

Seán Kenny (born 1923) is a former Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Borris-Ileigh and with the Tipperary senior inter-county team in the 1940s and 1950s.

Early life

Seán Kenny was born in Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary in 1923. He was born into a sporting family as his uncle, Patrick Harty, had captained the Tipperary team that won the junio All-Ireland hurling title in 1930. Kenny was educated locally and later attended Thurles CBS where his own hurling skills were developed. In 1939 he captained the school to Dean Ryan (under-17) and Dr. Harty Cup (under-19) titles.

Playing career

Club

Kenny played his club hurling with his local Borris-Ileigh club and enjoyed much success. He won senior county titles in 1949, 1950 and 1953.

Inter-county

Kenny first came to prominence on the inter-county scene in 1941 when he captained the Tipperary minor hurling team in the Munster final, however, Cork were the victors that day. Kenny later joined the Tipperary senior team and won a senior Munster title in 1949. He later captured his first All-Ireland medal following a victory over Laois in the final. In 1950 Kenny was appointed captain of the senior team and captured a National Hurling League title in the process. He later guided his native-county to a second consecutive Munster title and a second consecutive All-Ireland final victory. Kenny was captain again in 1951, however, an injury sustained in a game against Waterford meant that he had to give the captaincy to his club mate Jimmy Finn. Kenny played no part in the championship, however, he did come on as a substitute in the final game against Wexford to claim a third consecutive All-Ireland medal. His brother, Paddy Kenny, also won his third All-Ireland medal that day. Kenny’s career at inter-county level ended shortly after that game as a chronic knee injury forced him to retire. He also won two Railway Cup medals with Munster in 1949 and 1950 (as captain).

Teams