Two Kerry Senior Ladies Footballers who study at Mary Immaculate College have been chosen as this year’s Rachel Kenneally Memorial Award recipients, in recognition of their commitment to, and success in, Ladies Gaelic Football.
Now in its second year, the Rachel Kenneally Memorial is presented in memory of Rachel, who passed away at the age of 26 in 2018.
Rachel Kenneally, was a member of Aherlow LGFC and graduated from MIC in 2013, having trained as a primary school teacher.
She was a key member of the MIC Ladies Football team who were crowned Giles Cup Champions in 2012.
She also spent five years representing the Premier County at inter-county level.
The bursary awarded in her honour is funded by the Munster LGFA and sees Ciara O’Brien and Rachel Dwyer both receive €750. Congratulating the awardees was Rachel Kenneally’s father, Denis, who said: “It’s over two years ago since this bursary was announced in Rachel’s memory, and it remains a great honour that this bursary recognises and supports the young players who come through in her footsteps, succeeding at Ladies Football at club, college and County level.
Aherlow LGFA last year unveiled a commemorative jersey in memory of Rachel Kenneally, which includes the MIC logo, as well as that of Tipperary and the Dubai Celts, who she later played for. Aherlow’s Ladies Football Secretary, Laura Ivory, was her classmate at MIC and lined out alongside her on the pitch said: “What Munster LGFA and MIC have done by coming together to honour her memory is a fitting tribute to an outstanding footballer, teacher and person. “
