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Joe Hennessy (born 1956) is a former Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1976 until 1988.
[edit] Early life
Joe Hennessy was born in Kilkenny in 1956. He was born into a household that was hugely interested in hurling, and it was from his father that Hennessy developed his own love of the game. He was educated locally at Kilkenny Christian Brothers school. Here Hennessy first tasted hurling success, winning under-12 and under-14 county medals. He would later go on to become a star for club and county.
[edit] Playing career
Hennessy played his club hurling with the famous James Stephens club in the heart of Kilkenny city. In the early 1970s he won a county minor title before later having much success at senior level. In 1975 Hennessy won his first senior county title. This was later converted into a Leinster club title and an All-Ireland club title. Hennessy won a second county championship in 1976. It would be 1981 before he won his third county championship medal. Once again this win was converted into Leinster and All-Ireland honours.
[edit] Inter-county
By the early 1970s Hennessy had joined the Kilkenny minor hurling team. He enjoyed much success at this level, winning a Leinster title in 1973 before later defeating Galway to win an All-Ireland medal as well. He won a second Leinster minor title in 1974, however, Cork defeated Kilkenny in the final. In 1975 Hennessy had moved onto the Kilkenny under-21 panel. That year he won a Leinster under-21 title, the first of three-in-a-row. This was later converted into an [[All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship|All-Ireland] medal. In 1977 Hennessy won a second All-Ireland under-21 title.
In 1976 Hennessy made his senior championship debut against Wexford. Wexford were the kingpins of Leinster hurling at the time and it would be 1978 before Hennessy won his first Leinster title at senior level. Unfortunately, Hennessy’s side were later defeated by Cork in the All-Ireland final. In spite of this loss there was some consolation as Hennessy was presented with his first All-Star award at the end of the year. In 1979 he won a second Leinster title, before claiming his first senior All-Ireland title following a win over Galway. A second All-Star award quickly followed.
The following two years saw ‘the Cats’ lose out to Offaly in Leinster, however, Hennessy’s side returned at the start of 1982 to win the National Hurling League. His side later went on to win another Leinster title before defeating Cork to win his second senior All-Ireland medal. In 1983 Hennessy won his fourth provincial medal before once again defeating Cork in the All-Ireland final. His all-round ability was recognised once again when he claimed another All-Star award. Kilkenny failed to retain their Leinster title in 1984, however, such was Hennessy’s impact on the championship that he was presented with a fourth All-Star. In 1986 Hennessy began the ear by winning another National League title before claiming a fifth provincial medal. His side were later defeated by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final. In 1987 Hennessy won his sixth Leinster medal with Kilkenny, however, his side were once again beaten by Galway. In spite of the loss a fifth All-Star award beckoned for Hennessy.
The All-Ireland final loss to Galway was Hennessy’s last championship game for Kilkenny. He played in the following year’s National League and retired completely in the spring of 1988.
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Kilkenny - All-Ireland Senior Hurling Champions 1979 (21st title) |
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Kilkenny - All-Ireland Senior Hurling Champions 1982 (22nd title) |
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Kilkenny - All-Ireland Senior Hurling Champions 1983 (23rd title) |
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Club Hurling Silver Jubilee Team (1971-1996) |
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KIlkenny Hurling Team of the Century (2000) |
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