Colin Fennelly

Colin Fennelly (born 25 August 1989) is an Irish hurler who currently plays as a corner-forward for the Kilkenny senior team.[1]

Colin Fennelly
Personal information
Irish name Cóilín Ó Fionnalaigh
Sport Hurling
Position Full-forward
Born (1989-08-25) 25 August 1989
Ballyhale, County Kilkenny, Ireland
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Occupation Project Manager
Club(s)*
Years Club Apps (scores)
2006-present
 Ballyhale Shamrocks 69 (23-87)
Club titles
Kilkenny titles 8
Leinster titles 6
All-Ireland Titles 5
Inter-county(ies)**
Years County Apps (scores)
2011-present
 Kilkenny 48 (12-62)
Inter-county titles
Leinster titles 4
All-Irelands 4
NHL 3
All Stars 2
* club appearances and scores correct as of 16:35, 5 February 2020.
**Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 16:07, 5 February 2020.

Born in Ballyhale, County Kilkenny, Fennelly first played competitive hurling during his tenure at Scoil Aireagail. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up with the Kilkenny minor team before later joining the under-21 side. He joined the senior panel during the 2011 league. Fennelly has since become a key member of the team and has won four All-Ireland medals, three Leinster medals and three National Hurling League medals.

As a member of the Leinster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions, Fennelly has won one Railway Cup medal. At club level he is a one-time All-Ireland medallist with Ballyhale Shamrocks. In addition to this he has also won two Leinster medals and four championship medals.

Fennelly's uncles, Ger, Kevin and Liam, and his brother, Michael, have won twelve All-Ireland medals between them with Kilkenny.[2][3]

Playing career

Club

After much success at underage levels, including four successive under-21 championships, Fennelly quickly joined the Ballyhale Shamrocks senior team in 2006. That year he shared in his club's championship, Leinster and All-Ireland triumphs, however, Fennelly remained as an unused substitute.[4][5][6]

Fennelly won a first championship medal on the field of play in 2007 following a 1-20 to 1-10 drubbing of St. Martin's.[7]

Ballyhale Shamrocks made it three-in-a-row in 2008. A 2-11 to 0-12 defeat of James Stephens gave Fennelly a third successive championship medal, however, he was once again an unused sub as an injury ruled him out of the game.[8] He later won his first Leinster medal on the field of play as the Shamrocks defeated reigning champions Birr by 2-13 to 1-11.[9]

Fennelly won a fourth successive championship medal, his second on the field of play, in 2009, as Ballyhale claimed a record-equaling four-in-a-row following a 1-14 to 1-11 defeat of James Stephens once again.[10] The subsequent provincial decider saw Ballyhale hit fifteen wides, however, Fennelly still collected a second Leinster medal following a 1-16 to 1-8 defeat of Tullamore.[11] On 17 March 2010 Ballyhale faced three-in-a-row Portumna in a "dream" All-Ireland decider. The game failed to live up to the billing, however, 1-19 to 0-17 victory gave Fennelly his first All-Ireland medal on the field of play.[12]

Five-in-a-row proved beyond Ballyhale Shamrocks, however, the team bounced back in 2012 having lost the championship decider the previous year. A far from vintage 0-16 to 0-12 defeat of Dicksboro gave Fennelly a third championship medal.[13]

Fennelly won a fourth championship medal in 2014 as the Shamrocks claimed a 1-20 to 1-13 defeat of reigning champions Clara.[14] Fennelly later collected a second Leinster medal as veteran Henry Shefflin proved the difference in a 0-21 to 1-14 defeat of Kilcormacv/Killoughey.[15]

Minor and under-21

Fennelly first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Kilkenny minor team in 2006. He won his sole Leinster medal that year following a 4-22 to 1-5 defeat of Carlow.[16]

By 2008 Fennelly had joined the under-21 team. He collected his first Leinster medal that year following a facile 2-21 to 2-9 defeat of Offaly.[17] Old rivals Tipperary provided the opposition in the All-Ireland decider. Tipp whittled down a six-point half-time deficit to just two with minutes to go, however, Kilkenny hung on to win by 2-13 to 0-15, secure the Grand Slam of championship titles give Fennelly an All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship medal.[18]

Fennelly collected a second successive Leinster medal in 2009, as a brace of Jonjo Farrell goals helped Kilkenny to a 2-20 to 1-19 defeat of Dublin.[19] Clare later faced Kilkenny in their first ever All-Ireland decider. A late point from midfielder Cormac O'Donovan gave Clare a narrow 0-15 to 0-14 victory.[20]

Senior

Fennelly made his senior championship debut on 11 June 2011 in a 1-26 to 1-15 Leinster semi-final defeat of Wexford.[21] A subsequent 4-17 to 1-15 defeat of Dublin gave "the Cats" a record-equalling seventh successive championship.[22] It was Fennelly's first Leinster medal. Kilkenny subsequently faced Tipperary in a record-breaking sixth successive All-Ireland decider on 4 September 2011. Goals by Michael Fennelly and Richie Hogan in either half gave Kilkenny, who many viewed as the underdogs going into the game, a 2-17 to 1-16 victory.[23] It was Fennelly's first All-Ireland medal.

2012 began well for Fennelly when he collected a first National Hurling League medal following a 3-21 to 0-16 demolition of old rivals Cork.[24] Kilkenny were later shocked by Galway in the Leinster decider, losing by 2-21 to 2-11, however, both sides subsequently met in the All-Ireland decider on 9 September 2012.[25] Kilkenny had led going into the final stretch, however, Joe Canning struck a stoppage time equaliser to level the game at 2-13 to 0-19 and send the final to a replay for the first time since 1959.[26] The replay took place three weeks later on 30 September 2012. Galway stunned the reigning champions with two first-half goals, however, Kilkenny's championship debutant Walter Walsh gave a man of the match performance, claiming a 1-3 haul. The 3-22 to 3-11 Kilkenny victory gave Fennelly a second consecutive All-Ireland medal.[27]

Kilkenny's dominance showed no sign of abating in 2013, with Fennelly winning a second league medal following a 2-17 to 0-20 defeat of Tipperary in the decider.[28]

In 2014 Fennelly collected his third successive league medal, as Kilkenny secured a narrow one-point 2-25 to 1-27 extra-time victory over Tipperary.[29] He missed much of the provincial campaign but was restored to the starting fifteen on 7 September 2014 when Kilkenny faced Tipperary in the All-Ireland decider. In what some consider to be the greatest game of all-time, the sides were level when Tipperary were awarded a controversial free. John O'Dwyer had the chance to win the game, however, his late free drifted wide resulting in a draw.[30] The replay on 27 September 2014 was also a close affair. Goals from brothers Richie and John Power inspired Kilkenny to a 2-17 to 2-14 victory.[31] It was Fennelly's third All-Ireland medal. He was later presented with an All-Star award.

Fennelly won a third Leinster medal in 2015 following a 1-25 to 2-15 defeat of Galway in the provincial decider.[32]

Inter-provincial

In 2012 Fennelly was an unused substitute on the Leinster team that faced Connacht in the inter-provincial final. The game was effectively over at half time, with Leinster powering to an eventual 2-19 to 1-15 victory.[33]

In 2014 Fennelly was a member of the starting fifteen as Leinster faced Connacht in the Railway Cup decider once again. Just 150 spectators turned up to Croke Park as Leinster walloped Connacht for the third time in four finals by 1-23 to 0-16.[34] It was Fennelly's first Railway Cup medal on the field of play.

Personal life

Born in Ballyhale, County Kilkenny, Fennelly is the member of a hurling dynasty from the locality. His grandfather, Kevin Fennely, Snr, played with Kilkenny in the 1940s before later becoming heavily involved in the establishment of Ballyhale Shamrocks in 1972. His father, Mick, and his six uncles, Brendan, Ger, Kevin, Liam, Seán and Dermot, all played with the Shamrocks with several of them playing for Kilkenny at all levels.

Fennelly was educated at the local national school before later completing his Leaving Certificate at Scoil Aireagail. He subsequently completed a degree in construction management at the Cork Institute of Technology, before later becoming a member of the Irish Defence Forces.

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 5 January 2020.
Team Season Kilkenny Leinster All-Ireland Total
AppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScore
Ballyhale Shamrocks 2006-07 20-0010-0010-0040-00
2007-08 30-0320-00—50-03
2008-09 30-0330-0110-0270-06
2009-10 30-0931-0320-0381-15
2010-11 20-02——20-02
2011-12 52-06——52-06
2012-13 31-0811-01—42-09
2013-14 22-04——22-04
2014-15 32-0520-0221-0473-11
2015-16 31-03——31-03
2016-17 30-06——30-06
2017-18 42-06——42-06
2018-19 41-0324-0622-0487-13
2019-20 41-0332-0012-0185-04
Total 4412-61178-1395-147025-88

Inter-county
As of match played 18 August 2019.
Team Year National League Leinster All-Ireland Total
DivisionAppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScore
Kilkenny 2011 Division 1 74-0521-0120-04115-10
2012 Division 1A 72-1320-0032-03124-16
2013 71-0730-0230-05131-14
2014 74-1442-1230-08146-34
2015 10-0310-0220-0240-07
2016 53-0520-0132-02105-08
2017 40-0011-0020-0171-01
2018 00-0061-0610-0271-08
2019 00-0051-0632-0583-11
Total 3814-47266-30226-328626-109

Honours

Team
Ballyhale Shamrocks
Kilkenny
Leinster
  • Railway Cup (2): 2012 (sub), 2014

Individual
Honours
  • GAA-GPA All-Star Awards (2): 2014, 2019
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References
  1. "Profile: Colin Fennelly". Kilkenny GAA website. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  2. "Cody hails input of Fennelly brothers". Irish Examiner. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  3. "Fennelly has fears but that suits Cats fine". Irish Examiner. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  4. O'Flynn, Diramuid (6 November 2006). "Shamrocks reign supreme as King Henry punishes Gaels". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
  5. O'Flynn, Diramuid (27 November 2006). "Elated Fitzpatrick: It just couldn't go any better". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
  6. O'Flynn, Diramuid (19 March 2007). "Ballyhale boss eyes another All-Ireland". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
  7. "Ballyhale Shamrocks take senior hurling crown". Munster Express. 2 November 2007. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  8. O'Flynn, Diramuid (27 October 2007). "Ballyhale complete hat-trick of titles". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
  9. O'Sullivan, Jim (1 December 2008). "Shamrocks sow early seeds of victory". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  10. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (26 October 2009). "Shamrocks in clover again". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  11. O'Brien, Brendan (30 November 2009). "Shamrocks in seventh heaven". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  12. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (18 March 2010). "Shefflin shines on a perfect day for Shamrocks". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  13. Fogarty, John (12 November 2012). "Emotional win for Ballyhale's old warriors". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  14. Moynihan, Michael (17 November 2014). "Ballyhale stars' quality shines bright". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  15. Keane, Paul (8 December 2014). "Shefflin tips the balance". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  16. "Cats crush outclassed Carlow". Kilkenny People. 7 July 2006. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  17. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (25 July 2008). "Offaly collapse gifts title to Cats". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  18. Larkin, Brendan (15 September 2008). "Young Cats wrap up the perfect year". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  19. Keane, Paul (16 July 2009). "Farrell brace secures Cats triumph". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  20. O'Toole, Fintan (14 September 2009). "Last-gasp O'Donovan makes it a Clare day at Croker". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  21. Fogarty, John (13 June 2011). "One step forward for Cats and Henry". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  22. "The Kilkenny 2011 Championship adventure". Irish Independent. 29 December 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  23. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (5 September 2011). "The greatest of champions reclaim crown". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  24. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (7 May 2012). "Cats' smash and grab". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  25. "Galway land historic Leinster win". RTÉ Sport. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  26. Moran, Seán (10 September 2012). "Canning's nerves of steel earn Galway another tilt at the title". Irish Times. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  27. Cummiskey, Gavin (30 September 2012). "Cats show up for King Henry's ninth". Irish Times. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  28. "Cats claim 16th National League title". RTÉ Sport. 5 May 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  29. "Reid fires over winners as Kilkenny edge out Tipp". RTÉ Sport. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  30. "Kilkenny and Tipp finish level in classic final". RTÉ Sport. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  31. "Kilkenny too strong for Tipperary in All-Ireland final replay". RTÉ Sport. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  32. Moynihan, Michael (6 July 2015). "Canning wondergoal not enough for Galway against Kilkenny". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  33. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (5 March 2012). "Leinster force Connacht to play catch-up". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  34. Keane, Paul (3 March 2014). "Dooley pleads for interpro promotion". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
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