It was a team that dominated an entire sport for nearly two decades. While Kilkenny's current downfall might be as temporary as their one year hiatus in 2013, and we're sure that as long as there's the annual announcement that Brian Cody has been ratified for one more year, we'll never write them off, the loss of the players who made that team such an unstoppable juggernaut can not be understated.
A lot of the true greats of the game from Shefflin, Walsh, and Delaney to Larkin, Brennan, and Tyrrell have stepped aside in the last few years. Talk of their conveyor belt is scary for other counties, but are players like this really replaceable? And today, you can add another great to the list.
Mick Fennelly was one of those great Kilkenny players.
Time to hang up the boots with @kilkenny. It’s been a super 12 years and I’d only wish to have another 12 but you cant have everything!!!! ✌️✌️⚫️🔶 https://t.co/I5HwJHMZhu
— Michael Fennelly (@MFennellyKK) December 29, 2017
I would like to announce my retirement from inter-county hurling with Kilkenny. I have mentioned on a few occasions in the past “how your mind can get your body to go to certain places” but I feel my body has surpassed its limits at this time.
I am very grateful to have had a fruitful 12-year tenure with Kilkenny and had the pleasure to have played with and against some of the best hurlers in the country and I owe a lot of credit to the management team over the years of Brian Cody, Mick Dempsey, Derek Lyng, James McGarry and Martin Fogarty.
Without their understanding and patience, I would not have been in a position to continue playing for Kilkenny during some very challenging injuries and the medical team have also been at the heart of my rehabilitation and pre-habilitation training. I owe them a debt of gratitude.
The Kilkenny County Board have elected a new chairman in Jimmy Walsh and secretary Conor Denieffe and I would like to wish them all the best in their new roles. I'd also like to acknowledge the work of Ned Quinn and Barry Hickey for their relentless commitment and dedication to the Kilkenny team throughout my career.
Thank you to all the Kilkenny supporters from near and far for their support and kind words in the last decade and their unwavering support helped us to get us over the line in many last-minute deciders. My employers Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) also deserve huge gratitude for their continued support, particularly after I ruptured my Achilles tendon last year.
My family have been with me since this journey started with Kilkenny in 2006. Those first few years in the black and amber were up and down for myself and captaining Kilkenny to All-Ireland victory in 2009 was a particularly challenging year on a personal level. My family have been through the highs and lows and no doubt they lived every second of the games that both my brother Colin and I played with their hearts in their mouths. Hopefully those years were as ecstatic for them as they were for me.
My hurling career began at an early age with Ballyhale Shamrocks and I would like to thank all those mentors who took time to coach, influence and challenge me from childhood all the way through to the senior team.
I would like to wish new captain Cillian Buckley and the Kilkenny team all the very best for 2018. I will be watching with anticipation and no doubt you will represent Kilkenny with pride as always.
Lastly, I’m looking forward to spending my spare time with my new wife Lesley as the next chapter of our lives unfolds.
Life is all about the journey - enjoy it.
Thanking you,
Michael Fennelly
In 2009, Fennelly was the captain on the team that would secure the four-in-a-row in a classic against Tipperary. He struggled to make the team that year however, and was brought on as a late substitute. It would be the last time he was a bit part player.
The Ballyhale man became the driving force behind the second wave of this Kilkenny team, the four-out-of-five team that was born from the ashes of Lar Corbett's arson in 2010.
The kind of powerhouse hurler that could drive a team on from midfield and centre-forward, he unfortunately also suffered a number of bad injuries throughout his career.
Even still, his loss at just 32 will be a massive blow to Cody and Kilkenny who surely can't keep hoping to contend in a world when these greats of the game are no longer available to them.
Naturally, the tributes have been flooding in since Fennelly made the announcement.
Well done Michael. Unbelievable career. Enjoy the retirement and the plaudits you get. Catch up soon 💪🏼🙌🏼😉
— Tomás Ó Sé (@tomas5ky) December 29, 2017
Best wishes on your retirement Michael. A mighty servant for the Cats and Always played well on the big days. 👏👍
— Joe Dooley (@DooleyJoe) December 29, 2017
One of the greatest and most effective players we've ever witnessed. I can't sum up in words how iconic this man is and how much influence he has had on the modern game and the modern player. Michael you didn't just make Kilkenny better you made hurling better. https://t.co/NwtBX4hIcm
— Oisin Langan (@oisinlangan) December 29, 2017
