LAST NIGHT HE was toasted in the Citywest as man-of-the-match, a personal bonus on a perfect day.
Michael Fennelly isn’t lacking awards but these achievements with Kilkenny were elevated after some torturous moments inflicted by injury.
His back has been a constant obstacle yet the Ballyhale man has continuously succeeded.
“I haven’t trained a whole lot, to be honest. The last few weeks I actually trained and that was great for me.
“I got a few sessions under the belt which was unusual so I was happy enough coming into the game. Once you’re mentally right that will bring you a long way through it. You can almost go places others can’t go.
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Michael Fennelly and Andy Smith battle for possession Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
“It’s always there and you are hoping it is not going to set off and just get on with it. There’s a bunch of doctors and physios who look after me there as best they can.”
Fennelly’s journey back to the summit mirrored that of Kilkenny’s. Despite being stripped of stripey leaders last winter, 2015 concluded just as 2014 did.
“Coming back each year is difficult. What Galway have brought the last couple of games, could we live up to them?
“It was mentally a very difficult challenge and we had a few injuries leading into the last few weeks. That caused a bit of a distraction to those lads.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
“You would wonder how do we do it every year to come back with that same hunger, but I always look at it in relation to myself.
“What do I want to do? I want to wear that number eight or number nine jersey. If you are driving towards that target the games take care of themselves.”
The inter-county season ended with Fennelly celebrating All-Ireland inter-county glory to add to his club triumph on St Patrick’s Day last with Ballyhale.
One of the common denominators to those wins was TJ Reid, the front runner to be crowned Hurler of the Year.
“He has had a massive year,” remarked Fennelly.
“He is a special talent and he always has been. He is improving every year.
“He had a great year for our club as well, Ballyhale. We will expect a lot more from him over the coming years.”
Minding a bad back, Kilkenny's appetite and chasing that midfield jersey
LAST NIGHT HE was toasted in the Citywest as man-of-the-match, a personal bonus on a perfect day.
Michael Fennelly isn’t lacking awards but these achievements with Kilkenny were elevated after some torturous moments inflicted by injury.
His back has been a constant obstacle yet the Ballyhale man has continuously succeeded.
“I haven’t trained a whole lot, to be honest. The last few weeks I actually trained and that was great for me.
“I got a few sessions under the belt which was unusual so I was happy enough coming into the game. Once you’re mentally right that will bring you a long way through it. You can almost go places others can’t go.
“It’s always there and you are hoping it is not going to set off and just get on with it. There’s a bunch of doctors and physios who look after me there as best they can.”
Fennelly’s journey back to the summit mirrored that of Kilkenny’s. Despite being stripped of stripey leaders last winter, 2015 concluded just as 2014 did.
“Coming back each year is difficult. What Galway have brought the last couple of games, could we live up to them?
“It was mentally a very difficult challenge and we had a few injuries leading into the last few weeks. That caused a bit of a distraction to those lads.
“You would wonder how do we do it every year to come back with that same hunger, but I always look at it in relation to myself.
“What do I want to do? I want to wear that number eight or number nine jersey. If you are driving towards that target the games take care of themselves.”
The inter-county season ended with Fennelly celebrating All-Ireland inter-county glory to add to his club triumph on St Patrick’s Day last with Ballyhale.
One of the common denominators to those wins was TJ Reid, the front runner to be crowned Hurler of the Year.
“He has had a massive year,” remarked Fennelly.
“He is a special talent and he always has been. He is improving every year.
“He had a great year for our club as well, Ballyhale. We will expect a lot more from him over the coming years.”
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All-Ireland SHC Cats Drive On GAA Galway Hurling Kilkenny Michael Fennelly Galway Kilkenny