TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Hertfordshire and Oxford hurler from Tipperary who passed away at the age of 74 following a short illness earlier this month.
Noel Kennedy was part of the Hertfordshire team who played in the 1971 All-Ireland Junior Hurling Final that lifted the cup in Luton.
The county side were then controversially stripped of the victory and told to replay the match.
In the resulting fixture, Hertfordshire lost to Wicklow by one point at Croke Park.
Jackie Cuddy, who played with Noel in the All-Ireland final for Hertfordshire and for Oxford-based club side Éire Óg, paid tribute to a man who lived for hurling.
“He was tremendously strong and brave and played full back for us. Being a Tipperary man, he had hurling in his blood. Off the field, he was quiet and shy. It’s a sad loss for hurling and his family,” said Jackie.
Marty Waters, who also played for Hertfordshire in 1971, paid tribute to a man who was both a great player and a great person.
“I knew Noel very well from the late ’60s up to the ’80s. He was a lovely man,” said Marty.
“We (Hertfordshire) used to knock London out of the All-Ireland and we were one of the first to do so.”
He added: “I’m a Kilkenny man but, God be good to him, I don’t have a chance to have a go at him about Tipperary in the All-Ireland this year!”
Former teammate Henry Wymbs, a broadcaster and columnist, said he had fond memories of playing with Noel at Éire Óg in Oxford.
“He played in goal for us and if Noel came charging out for the ball you kept out of his way. We remained good friends right up to his death, a perfect gentleman.”
Noel Kennedy’s funeral takes place today (November 28) at St Thomas More Church, Kidlington in Oxfordshire at noon.
