Gaelic football loses a legend with sudden death of Tim Kennelly

SHOCK waves reverberated throughout the sporting world yesterday with the news that Kerry football legend Tim Kennelly, 52, had died unexpectedly at his home in Listowel.

He won five All-Ireland medals between 1975 and ’81 with the Kerry team many experts rate the greatest of all time.

Remembered as a strong, robust, but sporting player, he was a teak-tough defender in Mick O’Dwyer’s famous side and won all his medals in the centre-back position. He captained the All-Ireland winning Kerry side in 1979 and was an All-Star in 1979 and ’80.

In a tribute last night, Kerry GAA Board chairman Sean Walsh said people had heard of Tim Kennelly’s death with deep sadness and shock.

“He was an absolute stalwart on the field and a magnificent centre-back. I had the privilege of being on the same Feale Rangers team as him that won county championships in 1978 and ’80,” Mr Walsh said.

“His greatest ever display in any jersey was in the ’78 county final against Mid-Kerry. When his playing days were over, he became a Kerry selector and was involved with his club, Listowel Emmets, up to his death.

“Football was his life and while he might be hard on the field, he was always very, very fair.”

Describing Tim Kennelly as a colossus, he said he was hugely popular, both on and off the field.

“He was loved by everybody, had no enemies and couldn’t make an enemy. While all of Kerry is shocked, our hearts go out to his wife Nuala, sons Noel and Tadhg, daughter Joanne, mother Margaret, and his brothers and sisters,” Mr Walsh added.

Both of Mr Kennelly’s sons played with Kerry and he travelled to Australia last September to see Tadhg become the first Irishman to win an Australian Rules Football League Grand Final, doing so with Sydney Swans.

A close friend and team-mate, Jimmy Deenihan, said he had spoken to Tim on Monday night about a reunion being planned for the 1980 Feale Rangers side, an event to which he was looking forward.

“I played with him and against him for over 25 years, from underage level upwards and always regarded him as a great sportsman. He never bore a grudge, was very magnanimous and very popular, not only with team-mates but with many opponents throughout the country,” said Mr Deenihan, who also win five-All-Ireland medals with Kerry.