Mick Kenny holds a special place in Galway’sGAA history as he was the first man to captain the county’s hurlers to victory in the All-Ireland Senior Championship final of 1923. He also hasthe unique distinction of being the first Galway captain to bring the Liam MacCarthy Cup across the Shannon. Kenny’s achievement is all the more remarkable when we consider that the trophy did not return to Galway again until 1980 when, following a victory over Limerick, Joe Connolly delivered his rousing acceptance speech ‘as Gaeilge’ on the Hogan Stand.
Kenny was born in the parish of Duniry in 1893 and played junior hurling with his home parish before moving to work in the Tynagh parish. He achieved extraordinary success with that club’s famous hurling when winning five county senior championship medals in the 1920s.

A farmer, Kenny moved to live in Portumna in the early 1930s when he was granted a land Commission farm. He playedhurling with the Portumna club’s junior team for a number of years. Mick died in June, 1959 and was laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery, Portumna.

In order to acknowledge Kenny’s historic achievement a new monument over his grave will be unveiled at Calvary Cemetery, Portumna on Saturday 26th May, 2018 at 12.00 noon. With the endorsement of Galway County Board, this will be a fitting tribute to a man who helped to put Galway hurling on the map. Joe Connolly, the 1980 captain, will be the guest speaker and all are welcome.

Any individual or club wishing to make a donation towards the cost of the monument can do so by contacting any of the following members of the Memorial Committee;

John Joe Conwell, committee chairman (087 2963803)

Mattie Kenny, committee secretary and grandnephew (087 6183320)

John Holohan, treasurer (087 2347802)

Rose Tully, daughter (086 2608073)

Jim Carney, sports broadcaster and writer (087 2953755)

Ivan Canning, chairman Portumna GAA (087 1376666).

Ollie Robinson, chairman Tynagh Abbey-Duniry GAA (087 2437009)