View source for Joe Hennessy

{{Short description|Irish hurler}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox Gaelic games player
| code= Hurling
| sport = Hurling
| image =
| name = Joe Hennessy
| irish = Seosamh Ó hAonasa
| fullname = Joseph Hennessy
| feet = 5
| inches = 11
| occupation = Fuel merchant
| county = Kilkenny
| province = Leinster
| club = [[James Stephens (GAA Club)|James Stephens]]
| clposition = Half-back
| clubs= 
| clyears = 1974-1992
| clapps(points) =
| clcounty = 3
| clprovince= 2
| clallireland = 2
| counties = [[Kilkenny GAA|Kilkenny]]
| icposition = Half-back
| icyears = 1976-1988
| icapps(points) = 32 (1-14)
| icprovince = 6
| icallireland = 3
| nhl = 2
| allstars = 5
| clupdate =
| icupdate = 14:27, 31 May 2015
 | birth_date={{Birth date and age|1956|1|17|df=yes}}
 | birth_place=[[Kilkenny]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
}}
'''Joseph Patrick Hennessy''' (born 17 January 1956) is an [[Irish people|Irish]] retired [[hurling|hurler]] who played as a right wing-back for the [[Kilkenny GAA|Kilkenny]] senior team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/where-are-they-now-joe-hennessy-former-kilkenny-hurler-26670175.html|title=Where are they now? Joe Hennessy|work=Irish Independent|date=8 August 2010|access-date=22 March 2013}}</ref>

Born in [[Kilkenny (city)|Kilkenny]], Hennessy first played competitive hurling during his schooling at [[CBS Kilkenny]]. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Kilkenny minor team before later joining the under-21 side. He made his senior debut during the [[1976 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1976 championship]]. Hennessy immediately became a regular member of the team and won three [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] medals, six [[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|Leinster]] medals and two [[National Hurling League]] medals. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/kilkenny-are-the-supreme-champions-26093227.html|title=Kilkenny are the supreme champions|work=Irish Independent|date=14 March 2001|access-date=30 May 2015|first=Martin|last=Breheny}}</ref>

As a member of the [[Leinster GAA|Leinster]] inter-provincial team on a number of occasions Hennessy won one [[Railway Cup]] medal. At club level he is a two-time [[All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] medallist with [[James Stephens GAA|James Stephens]]. In addition to this Hennessy has also won two [[Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship|Leinster]] medals and three [[Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship|championship]] medals.

His father, [[Paddy Hennessy]], also played with Kilkenny.

Throughout his career Hennessy made 32 championship appearances. His retirement came following the conclusion of the [[National Hurling League 1987-88|1987-88 league]].

Hennessy is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers of all time. During his playing days he won five [[GAA All Stars Awards|All-Star]] awards. He has been repeatedly voted onto teams made up of the sport's greats, including at right wing-back on the Kilkenny Hurling Team of the Century and the Club Hurling Silver Jubilee Team. Hennessy was also chosen as one of the 125 greatest hurlers of all time in a 2009 poll.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/the-125-greatest-stars-of-the-gaa-5175-26579207.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140806203130/http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/the-125-greatest-stars-of-the-gaa-5175-26579207.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 August 2014 |title=The 125 greatest stars of the GAA: 51-75 |work=Irish Independent|date=4 November 2009 |access-date=4 September 2010 |first=Martin & Keyes, Colm |last=Breheny }}</ref>

==Playing career==

===Club===

Hennessy first played for the James Stephens senior team in 1974 and was a regular member of the starting fifteen the following year when the club made a breakthrough. A 1–14 to 1–5 defeat of first-time finalists [[Galmoy GAA|Galmoy]] gave Hennessy a [[Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship|championship]] medal. James Stephens subsequently qualified for the provincial decider, with Offaly champions [[St. Rynagh's GAA|St. Rynagh's]] providing the opposition. James Stephens took the lead from the third minute, with [[Liam O'Brien (hurler)|Liam "Chunky" O'Brien]] being scorer-in-chief. A 1–14 to 2–4 victory gave Hennessy his first [[Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship|Leinster]] medal. Two-time champions and hot favourites [[Blackrock GAA|Blackrock]] provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland decider. "The Rockies" got off to the better start, with two goals by [[Éamonn O'Donoghue (hurler)|Éamonn O'Donoghue]] and [[Pat Moylan (Cork hurler)|Pat Moylan]] giving them a 2–1 lead at the quarter mark. James Stephens trailed at the interval but were transformed in the second half. A 2–10 to 2–4 victory gave Hennessy his first [[All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] medal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/allireland-club-hurling-26713575.html|title=All-Ireland Club Hurling: Martin Breheny's top 25|date=15 March 2011|work=Irish Independent|access-date=16 November 2014|first=Martin|last=Breheny}}</ref>

Hennessy collected a second consecutive championship medal in 1976 as [[Rower-Inistioge GAA|Rower-Inistioge]] were accounted for by 2–14 to 0–13.

After a period of decline, James Stephens bounced back in 1981. A double scores 2–10 to 0–8 defeat of [[Fenians GAA|Fenians]] gave Hennessy a third championship medal. He later collected a second Leinster medal as championship debutantes [[Faythe Harriers]] were narrowly defeated by 0–13 to 1–9.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wexfordpeople.ie/sport/other-sports/castletown-seeking-third-win-on-the-trot-27674459.html|title=Castletown seeking third win on the trot|date=22 November 2001|publisher=Wexford People|access-date=16 November 2014}}</ref> First time finalists [[Mount Sion GAA|Mount Sion]] of Waterford provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland decider. A hat-trick of goals by John McCormack, together with a ten-point haul from [[Billy Walton (hurler)|Billy Walton]], saw James Stephens fight back from seven points down to record a 3–13 to 3–8 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munster-express.ie/files/2009/03/delasalletab11.pdf|title=Waterford yet to join All-Ireland club|date=11 March 2009|publisher=The Munster Express|access-date=16 November 2014}}</ref> It was a second All-Ireland medal for Hennessy .

===Minor and under-21===

Hennessy first played for Kilkenny as a member of the minor team in 1973. A 3–10 to 2–9 defeat of [[Wexford GAA|Wexford]] secured a third successive provincial title for the team and a first [[Leinster Minor Hurling Championship|Leinster]] medal for Hennessy. On 2 September 1973 Kilkenny faced [[Galway GAA|Galway]] in the subsequent All-Ireland decider. The game was a close, exciting affair played on a wet day, however, at the full-time whistle Kilkenny were the champions by 4–5 to 3–7. The victory gave Hennessy an [[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship]] medal.

Kilkenny retained their provincial dominance in 1974 with Hennessy collecting a second Leinster medal following an 8–19 to 3-5 trouncing of [[Dublin GAA|Dublin]]. The subsequent All-Ireland decider on 1 September 1974 saw [[Cork GAA|Cork]] providing the opposition. In a low-scoring game Hennessy's side were defeated by 1–10 to 1–8.

By 1975 Hennessy had joined the Kilkenny under-21 team. He won his first [[Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship|Leinster]] medal that year as Kilkenny accounted for Wexford by 3–14 to 0–8. The subsequent All-Ireland final against Cork was rated the best hurling game of the year. Kilkenny 'keeper [[Kevin Fennelly]] brought off two brilliant saves from [[Con Brassil]] and [[Finbarr Delaney]] in the closing stages to secure a 5–13 to 2–19 victory.

Kilkenny retained the provincial title in 1976 with Hennessy collecting a second Leinster medal following a 3–21 to 0-5 trouncing of Wexford once again. The subsequent All-Ireland final was a replay of the previous year with Cork providing the opposition once again. The Rebels made no mistake on this occasion and secured a 2–17 to 1–8 victory.

Hennessy won a third successive Leinster medal in 1977 as Wexford were downed once again on a score line of 3–11 to 1–10. Cork were once again waiting for Kilkenny in the All-Ireland decider. Having been beating the previous year, the Cats made no mistake on this occasion and secured a narrow 2–9 to 1–9 victory. It was Hennessy's second All-Ireland medal.

===Senior===

In 1978 Kilkenny broke Wexford's stranglehold on Leinster and secured the provincial title with a narrow 2–16 to 1–16 victory. It was Hennessy's first [[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|Leinster]] medal at the highest level. On 3 September 1978 Kilkenny faced Cork in the All-Ireland decider, as the Rebels were bidding to become the first team in over twenty years to secure a third championship in succession. The game was far from the classic that was expected, with the decisive score coming from [[Jimmy Barry-Murphy]] whose low shot towards goal deceived [[Noel Skehan]] and trickled over the line. The 1–15 to 2–8 score line resulted in defeat for Hennessy's side.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.advertiser.ie/kilkenny/article/1006|title=Another exciting chapter in Kilkenny-Cork saga|publisher=Kilkenny Advertiser|date=7 August 2008|access-date=12 March 2013|first=Angela|last=Doyle}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=108922|title=Cork's three-in-a-row 70s hurling teams honoured|publisher=Hogan Stand website|date=23 March 2009|access-date=12 March 2013}}</ref> In spite of this he was later honoured with his first [[GAA All Stars Awards|All-Star]].

Hennessy won a second successive Leinster medal in 1979 as Wexford were defeated by 2–21 to 2–17. On 2 September 1979 Kilkenny faced Galway in the All-Ireland final. Bad weather and an unofficial train drivers' strike resulted in the lowest attendance at a final in over twenty years. The bad weather also affected the hurling with Kilkenny scoring two freak goals as Galway 'keeper [[Séamus Shinnors]] had a nightmare of a game. A [[Liam O'Brien (hurler)|Liam "Chunky" O’Brien]] 70-yard free went all the way to the net in the first half, while with just three minutes remaining a 45-yard shot from [[Mick Brennan (hurler)|Mick Brennan]] was helped by the wind and dipped under the crossbar. Kilkenny won by 2–12 to 1–8 with Hennessy winning his first [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] medal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/championship-preview-the-10-most-important-hurling-matches-ever-332296.html|title=The 10 most important hurling matches. Ever|work=Irish Examiner|date=30 May 2015|access-date=22 May 2015}}</ref> He later collected a second All-Star.

After a fallow two-year period, Kilkenny bounced back in 1982 with Hennessy winning his first [[National Hurling League]] medal following a 2–14 to 1–11 defeat of Wexford. He later added a third Leinster medal to his collection following a 1–11 to 0–12 defeat of three-in-a-row hopefuls and reigning All-Ireland champions [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]]. On 5 September 1982 Kilkenny and Cork renewed their rivalry in the All-Ireland decider. The Cats were rank outsiders on the day, however, a brilliant save by Noel Skehan was followed by two quick goals by [[Christy Heffernan]] just before the interval. [[Éamonn O'Donoghue (hurler)|Éamonn O'Donoghue]] pegged a goal back for Cork, however, [[Ger Fennelly]] added a third for Kilkenny who secured a 3–18 to 1–13 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/power-of-dreams-lives-strong-for-carrickshock-247531.html|title=Power of dreams lives strong for Carrickshock|work=Irish Examiner|date=26 October 2013|access-date=30 May 2015}}</ref> It was a second All-Ireland medal for Hennessy.

Hennessy won a fourth Leinster medal in 1983 as Offaly were accounted for by 1–17 to 0–13. The All-Ireland final on 4 September 1983 was a replay of the previous year with Cork hoping to avenge that defeat. [[Billy Fitzpatrick]] was the star with ten points, giving Kilkenny a 2–14 to 1–9 lead with seventeen minutes left, however, they failed to score for the remainder of the game. A stunning comeback by Cork just fell short and Hennessy collected a third All-Ireland medal following a 2–14 to 2–12 victory. This was followed by a third All-Star]

Three-in-a-row proved beyond Kilkenny in 1984, however, Hennessy's performance earned him a fourth All-Star.

In 1986 the team bounced back with Hennessy collecting a second league medal following a 2–10 to 2–6 defeat of Galway. He later collected a fifth Leinster medal following a 4–10 to 1–11 defeat of reigning champions Offaly.

Hennessy won a sixth and final Leinster medal in 1987 as Offaly were downed once again by 2–14 to 0–17. On 6 September 1987 Galway, a team who were hoping to avoid becoming the first team to lose three finals in-a-row, faced a Kilkenny team who for many of its players knew it would be their last chance to claim an All-Ireland medal. Galway 'keeper [[John Commins (hurler)|John Commins]] saved two goal chances from Ger Fennelly, while at the other end substitute [[Noel Lane (Galway hurler)|Noel Lane]] bagged a decisive goal as Galway claimed a 1–12 to 0–9 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/kilkenny-hurlers-on-the-worst-losing-run-since-1987-319560.html|title=Kilkenny hurlers on the worst losing run since 1987|work=Irish Examiner|date=20 March 2015|access-date=30 May 2015|first=John|last=Fogarty}}</ref> Hennessy ended the year by winning a fifth All-Star.

===Inter-provincial===

Hennessy also lined out with [[Leinster GAA|Leinster]] in the inter-provincial championship, however, his career coincided with a low ebb for Leinster hurling at this level. His sole triumph came in 1979, when a 1–13 to 1–9 defeat of [[Connacht GAA|Connacht]] in the decider gave him a [[Railway Cup]] medal.

==Honours==

===Player===

;James Stephens
*[[All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship]] (2): 1976, 1982
*[[Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship]] (2): 1975, 1981
*[[Kilkenny Senior Club Hurling Championship]] (3): 1975, 1976, 1981

;Kilkenny
*[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]] (3): [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1979|1979]], [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1982|1982]], [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1983|1983]]
*[[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship]] (6): [[1978 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|1978]], [[1979 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling championship|1979]], [[1982 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|1982]], [[1983 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|1983]], [[1986 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|1986]], [[1987 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|1987]]
*[[National Hurling League]] (4): [[National Hurling League 1975-76|1975–76]] (sub), [[National Hurling League 1981-82|1981–82]], [[National Hurling League 1982-83|1982–83]] (sub), [[National Hurling League 1985-86|1985–86]]
*[[All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship]] (2): [[1975 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship|1975]], [[1977 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship|1977]]
*[[Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship]] (3): [[1975 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship#Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship|1975]], [[1976 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship#Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship|1976]], [[1977 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship#Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship|1977]]
*[[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1973 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|1973]]
*[[Leinster Minor Hurling Championship]] (2): [[1973 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship#Leinster Minor Hurling Championship|1973]], [[1974 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship#Leinster Minor Hurling Championship|1974]]

;Leinster
*[[Railway Cup]] (1): 1979

===Individual===

;Honours
*The 125 greatest stars of the GAA: No. 60
*All-Ireland Club Hurling Silver Jubilee Team: Right wing-back
*[[GAA All Stars Awards|All-Star]] (5): 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1987

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Joe Hennessy navigation boxes
| list1 =
{{Kilkenny Minor Hurling Team 1973}}
{{Kilkenny Minor Hurling Team 1974}}
{{Kilkenny Under-21 Hurling Team 1975}}
{{Kilkenny Under-21 Hurling Team 1976}}
{{Kilkenny Under-21 Hurling Team 1977}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1978}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1979}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1982}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1983}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1987}}
{{James Stephens Hurling Team 1976}}
{{James Stephens Hurling Team 1982}}
{{1978 Hurling All Stars}}
{{1979 Hurling All Stars}}
{{1983 Hurling All Stars}}
{{1984 Hurling All Stars}}
{{1987 Hurling All Stars}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hennessy, Joe}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:James Stephens hurlers]]
[[Category:James Stephens Gaelic footballers]]
[[Category:Kilkenny inter-county hurlers]]
[[Category:Leinster inter-provincial hurlers]]
[[Category:All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winners]]
[[Category:20th-century Irish sportsmen]]