View source for Tim Kennelly

{{Short description|Irish Gaelic footballer}}
{{For|the Australian baseball player|Tim Kennelly (baseball)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox Gaelic games player
| code= Football
| sport = Gaelic football
| image = Tim Kennelly.jpg
| name = Tim Kennelly
| irish = Tadhg Mac an Fhailí
| nickname = Horse<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.balls.ie/gaa/mick-odwyer-stories-380998|title=Four Great Mick O'Dwyer Stories On His 85th Birthday|publisher=[[Balls.ie]]|date=9 June 2021|quote=On the Monday we were down in Tim Kennelly's pub, well on it, and Horse [Tim Kennelly] beckoned me over and said 'You should be in with Kerry, someone should ring Dwyer about you'.}}</ref>
| occupation = Farmer and publican
| county = Kerry
| province = Munster
| club = [[Listowel Emmets]]
| clposition = Half-back
| clubs = 
| clyears = 
| clapps(points) = 
| clcounty = 2
| clprovince= 
| clallireland = 
| counties = [[Kerry county football team|Kerry]]
| icposition = Centre-back
| icyears = 1974–1984
| icapps(points) = 31 (0–01)
| icprovince = 9
| icallireland = 5
| nfl = 3
| allstars = 2
| clupdate = 
| icupdate = 21:14, 9 August 2012
| birth_place= [[Listowel]], [[County Kerry]], Ireland
| death_place= Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland
| birth_date={{Birth date|df=yes|1954|7|6}}
| death_date={{death date and age|df=yes|2005|12|6|1954|7|6}}
}}
'''Tim Kennelly''' (6 July 1954 – 6 December 2005) was an Irish [[Gaelic football]]er. His [[National Football League (Ireland)|league]] and [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship|championship]] career at senior level with the [[Kerry county football team|Kerry county team]] spanned ten years from 1974 to 1984.

Born just outside [[Listowel]], [[County Kerry]], Kennelly played competitive Gaelic football in his youth. He came to prominence with the [[Listowel Emmets GAA|Listowel Emmets]] club, winning two divisional junior championship medals as well as a county junior championship medal in 1972. Kennelly was a regular on the [[Feale Rangers GAA|Feale Rangers]] divisional team over a ten-year period, and won two [[Kerry Senior Football Championship|county senior championship]] medals.

Kennelly made his debut on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he was picked on the Kerry minor team. He had two championship seasons with the minor team, however, he was a [[Munster Minor Football Championship|Munster]] runner-up on both occasions. Kennelly subsequently joined the Kerry under-21 team, winning two [[All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship|All-Ireland]] medals as a substitute in 1973 and on the field of play in 1975. By this stage he had also joined the Kerry senior team, making his debut during the [[1974–75 National Football League (Ireland)|1974–75 league]]. Over the course of the next ten years, Kennelly won five [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship|All-Ireland]] medals, beginning with a lone triumph in 1975 before a record-equalling four championships in-a-row from 1978 to 1981. He also won nine [[Munster Senior Football Championship|Munster]] medals, three [[National Football League (Ireland)|National Football League]] medals and claimed back-to-back [[GAA All Stars Awards|All Stars]] in 1979 and 1980. He played his last competitive game for Kerry in February 1984, but remained on the panel for the subsequent provincial championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/gaa-mourns-sudden-loss-of-tim-kennelly-224624.html|title=GAA mourns sudden loss of Tim Kennelly|publisher=[[Irish Independent]]|date=7 December 2005|access-date=9 August 2012}}</ref>

After being chosen on the [[Munster GAA|Munster]] interprovincial team for the first time in 1977, Kennelly was an automatic choice on the team for six successive championships. During that time he won four [[Railway Cup]] medals.

Kennelly's two sons also played for Kerry. [[Noel Kennelly]] won an All-Ireland medal in 2000 while [[Tadhg Kennelly]] claimed a winners' medal in 2009, having earlier become the first Irish person to win an [[Australian Football League|AFL Premiership]] medal with [[Sydney Swans]].

==Biography==
Tim Kennelly was born in [[Listowel]], [[County Kerry]], in 1954. He grew up on the family farm in Coolaclarig, an area that had a great tradition for [[Gaelic football]]. As a young boy, Kennelly showed great skill as a footballer, and his father had influence on his subsequent inter-county career.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

Kennelly was a [[publican]] by profession. His sons, [[Noel Kennelly|Noel]] and [[Tadhg Kennelly|Tadhg]], also represented their native county in football. Noel won an All-Ireland medal with Kerry in 2000. Tadhg later played [[Australian rules football]] in the [[Australian Football League|AFL]] with the [[Sydney Swans]]. In 2005, Tadhg became the first Irishman to win an [[Australian Football League|AFL]] premiership medal. Tadhg returned to Ireland in 2009 and joined the Kerry senior football team, winning an [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship|All-Ireland Senior Medal]] and being selected as an [[GAA GPA All Stars Awards|All Star]].

Tim Kennelly, who suffered from a heart condition, died on 6 December 2005.

==Playing career==
===Club===
Kennelly played his club football with his local team called [[Listowel Emmets GAA|Listowel Emmets]]. He won numerous underage league and championship winners' medals before making his way onto the club's senior team. 1972 proved to be a successful year for Kennelly and for his club. He captured a [[North Kerry Senior Football Championship|North Kerry senior championship]] winners' medal while also winning a North Kerry league title. He finished off the year be claiming a Kerry Junior Football Championship winners' medal.

A second North Kerry championship title followed in 1976 while, two years later, in 1978 Kennelly added a second North Kerry league title to his collection. By this stage he was also lining out with divisional side [[Feale Rangers GAA|Feale Rangers]]. An 0–8 to 0–3 defeat of [[Mid Kerry GAA|Mid Kerry]] in 1978 gave Kennelly a [[Kerry Senior Football Championship|county senior championship]] winners' medal. Two years later in 1980 Feale Rangers defeated [[Austin Stacks GAA|Austin Stacks]] by three points, thus securing a second county senior championship title.

===Minor and under-21===
By the early 1970s, Kennelly had joined the [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] minor football team; however, he had no success in this grade as [[Cork GAA|Cork]] dominated the provincial championship.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} He was promoted to the county's under-21 team, winning a [[Munster Under-21 Football Championship|Munster]] title in this grade in 1973.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://munster.gaa.ie/teams/under21football.html |title=Munster Under-21 Football Championship Winning Teams |publisher=[[Munster GAA]] |access-date=7 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719200959/http://munster.gaa.ie/teams/under21football.html |archive-date=19 July 2008 }}</ref> He later lined out in his first All-Ireland final at under-21 level. [[Mayo GAA|Mayo]] provided the opposition on that occasion; however, Kerry recorded a 2–13 to 0–13 victory. The win gave Kennelly an under-21 [[All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship|All-Ireland]] winners' medal.<ref>{{cite book| first=Des| last=Donegan| title=The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games| publisher=DBA Publications| year=2005| page=156}}</ref>

In 1975 Kennelly captured a second Munster under-21 title following a nine-point win over [[Waterford GAA|Waterford]]. Kennelly's side later qualified for the All-Ireland final with [[Dublin GAA|Dublin]] providing the opposition. A 1–15 to 0–10 score line gave Kerry the victory and gave Kennelly a second All-Ireland winners' medal.<ref>''The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games'' p. 156</ref>

===Senior===
In 1975, a new-look Kerry team was formed under the management of former player [[Mick O'Dwyer]]. It was the beginning of a glorious era for Kerry football and Kennelly played a key role in orchestrating much of the success for the team that would come to be regarded as the greatest of all time.{{original research inline|date=April 2017}}{{tone inline|date=April 2017}}{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} That year he won his first senior [[Munster Senior Football Championship|Munster]] title, dethroning Cork as provincial champions in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://munster.gaa.ie/teams/seniorfootball.html |title=Munster Senior Football Championship Winning Teams |publisher=[[Munster GAA]] |access-date=7 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719154851/http://munster.gaa.ie/teams/seniorfootball.html |archive-date=19 July 2008 }}</ref> Kennelly later lined out in his first senior All-Ireland final. Reigning champions Dublin provided the opposition and were installed as the favourites over the youngest Kerry team of all time.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} On a rain-soaked day, [[John Egan (Gaelic footballer)|John Egan]] and substitute [[Ger O'Driscoll (Gaelic footballer)|Ger O'Driscoll]] scored two goals, and 'the Dubs' were ambushed with a score of 2–12 to 0–11.<ref>{{cite book| first=Eoghan| last=Corry| title=The GAA Book of Lists| publisher=Hodder Headline Ireland| year=2005| page=403}}</ref> It was Ó Kennelly's first [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship|All-Ireland]] winners' medal at senior level.

In 1976, Kennelly captured his second Munster title before later lining out in his second All-Ireland final. Once again, it was Dublin who provided the opposition. New 'Dub' [[Kevin Moran (footballer)|Kevin Moran]] was causing havoc with the Kerry defence.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} [[Jimmy Keaveney]] converted a penalty to help Dublin to a 3–8 to 0–10 victory and defeat for Kennelly.<ref>''The GAA Book of Lists'' pp. 403–404</ref>

1977 proved to be another frustrating year.{{original research inline|date=April 2017}} The year began with Kennelly capturing a [[National Football League (Ireland)|National League]] medal on the field of play and a third consecutive Munster title following another win over Cork. Kerry later took on Dublin for the third consecutive year, however, this time it was in the All-Ireland semi-final. In one of the greatest games of football ever-played 'the Dubs' triumphed and Kennelly was still left waiting for a second All-Ireland medal.{{original research inline|date=April 2017}}

In 1978, Kerry secured a fourth Munster winners' medal in-a-row, however, Kennelly missed the provincial decider. He later returned in time for 'the Kingdom's’ third All-Ireland final appearance in four years. Old rivals Dublin provided the opposition, however, the game turned into a rout. The game is chiefly remembered for [[Mikey Sheehy]]'s sensational goal. The Kerry forward lobbed the ball over the head of [[Paddy Cullen]], who was caught off his line arguing with the referee. New full-forward [[Eoin Liston]] scored a hat-trick of goals. [[Pat Spillane]] played all over the field, including goalkeeper after [[Charlie Nelligan]] was sent off. At the full-time whistle Kerry were the winners by 5–11 to 0–9.<ref>''The GAA Book of Lists'' p. 404</ref>

In 1979, Kennelly, who was now captain of the side, won a fourth provincial title as Cork fell by ten points in the Munster final. He later went in search of a third All-Ireland medal as he lined out in a fourth championship decider. Dublin provided the opposition for the fifth consecutive occasion. Kerry were handicapped throughout the game. [[Ger Power]] did not start the game, while [[John O'Keeffe (Gaelic footballer)|John O'Keeffe]] got injured and [[Páidí Ó Sé]] was sent off during the encounter. Two goals by Mikey Sheehy and a third by John Egan helped 'the Kingdom' to a 3–13 to 1–8 victory. It was Kennelly's third All-Ireland winners' medal while he also had the honour of lifting the [[Sam Maguire Cup]].<ref>''The GAA Book of Lists'' pp. 404–405</ref>

Kerry's dominance continued in 1980. Another defeat of Cork in the provincial final gave Kennelly a fifth Munster winners' medal. Another All-Ireland final appearance beckoned, this time with [[Roscommon GAA|Roscommon]] providing the opposition. The Connacht champions shocked Kerry and took a five-point lead inside the first twelve minutes. Mikey Sheehy popped up again to score the decisive goal, as Kerry went on to claim a 1–9 to 1–6 victory in a game that contained sixty-four frees.<ref name="The GAA Book of Lists p. 405">''The GAA Book of Lists'' p. 405</ref> The victory gave Kerry a third All-Ireland title in succession, while Kennelly added a fourth All-Ireland winners' medal to his ever-growing collection.

In 1981 Kennelly missed Kerry's seventh consecutive Munster title, however, he later lined out in the All-Ireland final against [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]]. Kerry had an easy win with seven players combining for a great goal. He captured his fifth All-Ireland winners' medal that day as Kerry won by 1–12 to 0–8.<ref name="The GAA Book of Lists p. 405"/>

In 1982, Kennelly won his second National League winners' medal before Kerry secured an eighth consecutive Munster final victory over Cork. It was Kennelly's sixth provincial title in all. The All-Ireland final pitted 'the Kingdom' against Offaly for the second year in-a-row. Kerry had the upper hand for much of the game and were leading by two points with two minutes left to be played. The game, however, was not over as Offaly substitute [[Séamus Darby]], who had entered the game almost unnoticed, produced the most spectacular of finishes by scoring a late goal. Kerry failed to score again to level the match and Offaly went on to win their third All-Ireland title ever. Kerry's five-in-a-row dream was shattered.<ref>''The GAA Book of Lists'' pp. 405–406</ref>

Kerry missed out on an historic nine-in-a-row in Munster in 1983, as Cork finally triumphed. 'The Kingdom' bounced back the following year; however, Kennelly was now on the periphery of the team while he also became a selector. He played no part on the field of play in Kerry's Munster final and All-Ireland final triumphs. Kennelly retired from inter-county football around this time.

===Inter-provincial===
Kennelly also lined out with [[Munster GAA|Munster]] in the inter-provincial football competition and enjoyed much success.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} He first lined out with his province in 1977 as Munster defeated [[Connacht GAA|Connacht]] in the final by 1–14 to 1–9. It was his first [[Railway Cup]] winners' medal and the first of two-in-a-row for Kennelly and for Munster. After losing out in 1979 and 1980 Kennelly captured a third Railway Cup title in 1981. A one-point defeat of Connacht gave Kennelly a fourth Railway Cup winners' medal in 1982<ref>{{cite web|url=http://munster.gaa.ie/teams/railwaycupfootball.html |title=Munster Railway Cup Football Teams |publisher=[[Munster GAA]] |access-date=7 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719201059/http://munster.gaa.ie/teams/railwaycupfootball.html |archive-date=19 July 2008 }}</ref>

==Career statistics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|[[National Football League (Ireland)|National League]]
!colspan="2"|[[Munster Senior Football Championship|Munster]]
!colspan="2"|[[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship|All-Ireland]]

!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Score!!Apps!!Score!!Apps!!Score!!Apps!!Score
|-
|rowspan="10"|[[Kerry county football team|Kerry]]
|1974-75
|rowspan="2"|[[National Football League (Ireland)|Division 1A]]
|6||0-00||4||0-00||0||0-00||10||0-00
|-
|1975-76
|6||0-00||3||0-00||2||0-01||11||0-01
|-
|1976-77
|rowspan="4"|[[National Football League (Ireland)|Division 1 (South)]]
|5||0-00||2||0-00||1||0-00||8||0-00
|-
|1977-78
|5||0-00||2||0-00||2||0-00||9||0-00
|-
|1978-79
|5||0-01||2||0-00||2||0-00||9||0-01
|-
|1979-80
|7||0-00||1||0-00||2||0-00||10||0-00
|-
|1980-81
|rowspan="4"|[[National Football League (Ireland)|Division 1]]
|6||0-00||0||0-00||2||0-00||8||0-00
|-
|1981-82
|13||0-01||3||0-00||2||0-00||18||0-01
|-
|1982-83
|5||0-00||1||0-00||0||0-00||6||0-00
|-
|1983-84
|3||0-00||0||0-00||0||0-00||3||0-00
|-
!colspan="3"|Total
|'''61'''||'''0-02'''||'''18'''||'''0-00'''||'''13'''||'''0-01'''||'''92'''||'''0-03'''
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}} 
{{succession box
| after=[[Ger Power]]
| title=[[List of Kerry senior Gaelic football team captains|Kerry Senior Football Captain]]
| years=1979
| before=[[Denis Moran (Gaelic footballer)|Denis 'Ogie' Moran]]
}}
{{s-ach|ach}}
{{succession box
| after=[[Ger Power]]<br>([[Kerry county football team|Kerry]])
| title=[[List of All-Ireland Senior Football Championship winning captains|All-Ireland SFC]]<br>winning [[Captain (Gaelic games)|captain]]
| years=[[1979 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship|1979]]
| before=[[Denis Moran (Gaelic footballer)|Denis 'Ogie' Moran]]<br>([[Kerry county football team|Kerry]])
}}
{{s-end}}

{{Navboxes
|title=Kerry squads
|bg=green
|fg=yellow
|list1=
{{Kerry Under 21 Team 1975}}
{{Kerry Football Team 1975}}
{{Kerry Football Team 1976}}
{{Kerry Football Team 1978}}
{{Kerry Football Team 1979}}
{{Kerry Football Team 1980}}
{{Kerry Football Team 1981}}
{{Kerry Football Team 1982}}
{{Kerry Football Team 1985}}
{{Kerry Football Team 1986}}
}}
{{1979 All Stars}}
{{1980 All Stars}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kennelly, Tim}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:2005 deaths]]
[[Category:All-Ireland–winning captains (football)]]
[[Category:All Stars Awards winners (football)]]
[[Category:Gaelic football backs]]
[[Category:Gaelic football selectors]]
[[Category:Kerry inter-county Gaelic footballers]]
[[Category:Kennelly family|Tim]]
[[Category:Listowel Emmets Gaelic footballers]]
[[Category:Munster inter-provincial Gaelic footballers]]
[[Category:Winners of five All-Ireland medals (Gaelic football)]]