GAA world shocked by Kennelly death

The GAA world is in mourning after the death of legendary former Kerry footballer Tim Kennelly was confirmed this evening.

The 51-year-old father of three, a well-known and well-liked farmer and publican in the locality, passed away earlier this afternoon at his home in Listowel.

Kennelly won five All-Ireland SFC medals with Kerry, including one as captain in 1979, in a glittering career. Man-of-the-match in the 1980 decider against Roscommon, the Listowel Emmets clubman won All-Star awards for his centre back displays in both 1979 and 1980.

Kennelly captained Munster to win the Railway Cup in 1982 and, after his playing career ended, he became a Kerry selector. He also enjoyed a successful club career, winning a North Kerry championship with his beloved Listowel Emmets in 1976 and two county championship medals with Feale Rangers in 1978 and ’80.

His sons Noel and Tadhg have helped keep the Kennelly name on the sporting pages in recent years - Noel, the elder, won an All-Ireland with the Kerry seniors in 2000 while Tadhg, at 24, made history last September by becoming the first Irishman to win an Aussie Rules Grand final, helping the Sydney Swans to beat the West Coast Eagles.

Both Tim and his wife Nuala were present at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to witness the event.

GAA President Sean Kelly, a fellow Kerryman, admitted to be “shocked” and “saddened” on hearing the news of Tim Kennelly's death.

Kelly said: “Tim had legendary status in Kerry GAA circles.

“He was amongst the best defenders the county ever had, a man who excelled in a team that included some of the greatest players of all time.”

Sean Walsh, the Chairman of the Kerry GAA County Board, said: “I am deeply saddened and shocked at the sudden and untimely death this afternoon of Tim Kennelly. On the field he was a colossus, off the field he was hugely popular with everyone.

“While the people of Kerry will have extreme difficulty coming to terms with the sad news of Tim’s death, our thoughts and prayers are at this time with his wife, Nuala, sons Noel and Tadhg, daughter Joanne, his mother, brothers and sisters.”

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.