2001, a first Celtic cross medal entered our club through the hands of Donncha Fahey. A breakthrough achievement which brought immense joy to St. Mary’s people.

Sitting, watching, and dreaming of following in Faheys footsteps was one Séamus Kennedy. In recent days, Séamus has called time on his illustrious Tipperary senior hurling career having fulfilled and exceeded that childhood dream of not only playing for the Premier County but scaling the Hogan steps no less than three occasions to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup.

The underage academy system was the first port of call on a fledging intercounty journey from where his performances earned a call up to the county minor panel in 2010. In 2011, Séamus again lined out for the minor hurlers but also doubled up as a minor dual player going on to win an historic All-Ireland minor football medal with an unforgettable win together with Commercials club mates like the standout Colman Kennedy on the day over a storied Dublin team in Croke Park.

He made the panel for both the 2013 and 2014 seasons in his customary wingback slots. The dual aspect was also to the fore at U21 as he captained Tipperary U21 footballers in a Munster Final against Cork in 2013.

In 2015, a first appearance in championship came in football against Waterford scoring from play. The college years saw him link up with his cousin, Jamie Wall in Mary Immaculate College where a chase for a valued Fitzgibbon medal began and in 2016, a first ever win for the Limerick college garnered that elusive medal. His performances for the college caught the eye of Tipp senior hurling Bainisteoir Michael Ryan and so began the start of a decade of his Tipp senior hurling career.

2016 was a year to remember for Tipp hurling followers and a whirlwind year for Sham. A championship debut win against Cork in Thurles in a Munster quarter final was followed by a win over Limerick in a semi-final before usurping Waterford to claim a first Munster Senior hurling medal. Croker beckoned once more and after a titanic clash with Galway, our club now had a player going to walk behind the Artane boy’s band on All-Ireland hurling final day.

Lining out wing back wearing No. 5 beside Páraic and Ronan Maher, Tipp overcame Kilkenny in a flawless performance to win the Liam McCarthy. Séamus picked up Walter Walsh from the start before duelling with luminaries like Richie Hogan, TJ Reid and Eoin Larkin throughout the 70 minutes. The highlight of the game from a Clonmel perspective came in the 10th minute when our man, from the middle of the field scored his first championship point to guttural roars from the Marys followers. The game finished 2-29 to 2-20 and Celtic cross number one was hoisted onto the kitchen table. The knocking was working.

In 2019, Liam Sheedy returned and Séamus was a key soldier in the team. A defiant 14-man performance against Wexford in the All-Ireland semi-final was the catalyst for another All-Ireland appearance with Séamus outstanding against the Slaneysiders in an unforgettable win. Kilkenny again in the national showpiece on the 18th August beckoned.

Sham lined out once more at wingback, though this time, wearing the No. 7 jersey. Kilkenny roared into the game early on before Tipp fought back with Séamus firing over a superb levelling point into the Canal end just before half time. The knocking was getting louder. In the second half, Tipp took full control and Séamus, from near enough the spot as his score in 2016 popped over his second point of the day to help steer Tipp to a 28th All-Ireland. Celtic cross number two onto the kitchen table. The stuff of dreams.

A period away from the top table of hurling for Tipp brought tough times for the county hurlers but Séamus stayed a consistent presence in the team with his leadership and personality needed more than ever. On the 9th March 2024 against Limerick in the National league, his darkest moment in the Tipp colours came via an ACL injury. At 31 years, a yearlong recovery would take plenty out of lesser men looking to stay in the inter county scene but typical of man, he started knocking again and recovered from injury by studiously and meticulously following his rehab plan.

In 2025, Liam Cahill had the reins of the senior hurling squad and like previous Tipp mentors, saw what Séamus had to offer and included him in the dressing room leadership hierarchy. His steading and calm assuredness were used throughout the season coming on in games to settle games. In the unforgettable All-Ireland final against Cork, Sham entered the fray on the 50th minute for his third final appearance. The premier county turned on the style in the last quarter and the table at home in the Kennedy household got ready to accept a third medal of the Celtic cross variety.

For many years, going to Tipperary games, buying the programmes, and scanning the team line-ups, you would be envious of other clubs having their name underneath a player’s name. This last decade the envy was no more, number 5 or 7 was always there, the stadium announcer calling the team out, right half back Séamus Kennedy St. Mary’s Clonmel, the pride in our man would have you ready to play the game yourself. Summer camps in the Sportsfield, we now had our own hero coming to the field, the kids beaming up at their clubman dreaming about playing for Tipp, playing for Mary’s just like Sham Kennedy.

This reflection on his career is focused on his blue and gold achievements. His contribution to St. Mary’s and Clonmel Commericals has many more chapters still to be written and acknowledgment of an immense contribution to both clubs can and will come in years to come.

For now, we congratulate Séamus for an inter-county career, decorated with silverware, delivered with pride, honesty, integrity, and leadership. Well done Sham.

Tipperary Honours

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Winner 2016, 2019, 2025

Munster Senior Hurling Winner 2016

All-Ireland Minor Football Winner 2011

38 Senior Championship appearances

45 Championship appearances across Minor, U21 and Senior.

0-16 scored across three grades.