Former Tipperary ladies footballer Rachel Kenneally has tragically passed away at the age of just 26. Rachel played with the Tipperary team from 2009 - 2014.
She was part of the Tipperary side which reached the 2013 All-Ireland Ladies Intermediate final. She also played in the 2010 National League Division Two final and was a Munster Minor B Championship winner in 2009 and 2010.
With her club, Aherlow, Rachel played in the 2011 All-Ireland junior final against Sperrin Óg. Rachel also played with Mary Immaculate in Limerick while studying to become a primary school teacher.
Tipperary ladies manager Shane Ronayne last night paid tribute to Rachel, who was from Ballyglass.
"On behalf of everybody involved with the Tipperary senior squad, I would like to express our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Rachel Kenneally, our former player, team-mate and friend.
“We are all proud to have had the opportunity to coach and play with Rachel, and very privileged to have known her as a person.
“She was a fantastic player and a wonderful character, full of life, humour and great courage.
“She will be sorely missed but forever remembered."
Ladies Gaelic Football Association President Marie Hickey also expressed her sympathies in a statement.
All of us at the Ladies Gaelic Football Association are deeply saddened to learn of Rachel’s untimely passing. Rachel was a wonderful servant to Tipperary ladies football and her club, Aherlow.
A committed and talented player, Rachel wore the blue and gold of her county and the green and gold of her beloved Aherlow with distinction for many years. “Rachel marked herself out as a brilliant underage player before going on to represent Tipperary at the highest level, appearing on All-Ireland final day in 2013.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Rachel’s family and friends at this very sad time.
Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
