Town pays tribute to late Donal Kenny, outstanding scratch golfer

DONAL Kenny, Hermitage, Ennis, who died recently, was one of the finest golfers produced by the county town.
Aged 73 years, he was a scratch golfer for the best part of 20 years during which time he represented Munster several times in the inter-provincial championships.
In 1981, the Munster branch of the Golfing Union of Ireland listed just four scratch golfers in the province at that time, Donal Kenny, Walker Cup player, Arthur Pierse, Tipperary, Denis O’ Sullivan, Cork, and Paddy O’Looney, Castletroy, Limerick.
As a member of a family steeped in golf with Ennis Golf Club, Donal showed promise from an early age and went on to represent the club in the Senior Cup and Barton Shield, figuring prominently in the South of Ireland Golf Championship in Lahinch.
Afterwards, he joined Kilrush Golf Club and club stalwart, Denis Nagle, who attended Donal’s funeral, praised him for his contribution to the West Clare club including playing for it in the Barton Shield, Senior Cup and mixed-foursomes.
For the past 15 years, Donal was a valued member of Woodstock Golf Club, Ennis and featured with various Woodstock teams.
Also among those who attended Donal’s funeral was golfing great and Ennis native, Vincent Nevin. He also learned his golf at Ennis Golf Club, and in a distinguished career he won the South of Ireland Golf Championship in Lahinch on two occasions in 1976 and 1978.
He was also a member of the Irish team that won the European Team Championships on Ireland’s first appearance at Royal St George’s in 1965.
He said that when he was non-playing captain of the Munster team that played in the inter-provincial championships in Newcastle, Co. Down in 1980, Donal was a member of the team. In his game against Bertie Wilson, Donal was two down with six to play but he went on to beat the Ulster player to win the series for Munster.
Also joining in the tributes was another great Ennis golfer, Noel Pyne, who holds the record of more than 40 consecutive appearance in the South of Ireland Championship.
The retired school teacher and a former Eire Og and Clare hurler described Donal as a natural golfer who had an impressive record when playing for Munster. He was not very far away from winning an Irish cap, he said.
He recalled Donal playing in the South, and in particular the year he reached the quarter final when he was pipped at the fourth tie hole by local golfer, P J Queally.
He added that Donal was also a promising under age hurler but decided to concentrate on golf.
He also recalled the years playing with the Ennis Golf Club Barton Shield and Senior Cup teams with Donal.
Outside of golf, Donal was a proud Ennis man, and as a tradesman was gifted and highly regarded. A son of the late Tony and Rita Kenny, Hermitage, Donal was a great entertainer on social occasions.
He was also wonderful company over a pint when he liked to recall old family names and places in his native town.
His death, after a short illness, took place at Milford Centre, Limerick on July 7 last. His Funeral Mass was at Ennis Cathedral on July 10 with Fr Tom Ryan, parish priest, as chief celebrant. Private cremation took place afterwards.
The attendance at the funeral included many friends and golfers. Members of Woodstock Golf Club paid their tribute with a guard of honour after Mass. His friends and neighbours in Hermitage also honoured him with a guard of honour.
Donal, who was predeceased by his wife, Essie, is survived by his sons, Tony and Paul, siblings, daughters-in-law Jennie and Sarah, grandchildren, extended family and many friends.

T.M.