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About

Alongside Michaels lecturing role in sport science, he served as a Performance Lead with Kilkenny GAA between 2023 to 2025, where he oversaw the revitalisation of Kilkenny GAA academy and built a sustainable framework on development and performance.

 

He delivers leadership and culture keynotes and workshops for corporate clients, integrating insights from his doctoral studies and extensive previous successful sporting experiences into the business world. Michael covers an array of topics with menu below of potential keynotes:

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  • What Leadership is Most Valued in Elite Sport Today

  • Building a Sustainable Culture for Long-Term Success

  • Designing the Blueprint for High Performance

  • Lessons from the First Year Manager in sport

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Sporting Achievements

Michael debuted for Kilkenny minors at 18, won a minor All-Ireland, U21 titles in 2004 & 2006 and joined the seniors in 2006. Across 12 seasons he claimed eight All-Ireland medals (four-in-a-row 2006-09, back-to-back 2011-12, 2014-15, captain in 2009), plus nine Leinster titles, five National Hurling Leagues, and 2011 All-Star & Texaco Hurler of the Year, denied a ninth All-Ireland in September 2016.
 
On retiring, Michael held the record for the most All-Ireland medals across club and county - 16 in total, eight with Kilkenny seniors, five with Ballyhale Shamrocks, two with Kilkenny U-21s, and one with Kilkenny minors.

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Breakdown of Honours both club and county

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As a player with Ballyhale Shamrocks

As a player with Kilkenny

  • All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (8): 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015

  • Leinster Senior Hurling Championship (9): 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016

  • National Hurling League (5): 2006, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014

  • All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship (2): 2004, 2006

  • Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship (3): 2004, 2005, 2006

  • All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship (1): 2003

  • Leinster Minor Hurling Championship (1): 2003

Leinster

  • Railway Cup 2012

Awards

  • GAA GPA All Stars Awards (3): 2010, 2011, 2015

  • Hurler of the year 2011

  • In May 2020, a public poll conducted by RTÉ.ie named Fennelly at midfield alongside Tommy Dunne in a team of hurlers who had won All Stars during the era of The Sunday Game.

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