GAA, Irish Sports News
Mackessy Absent from Kilkenny Panel for 2027
Published
Reports indicate that Fionán Mackessy, a former dual star from Kerry, is not part of Henry Shefflin’s Kilkenny hurling panel for the 2027 season. Mackessy, who made a significant impact in his youth, was recognised on both the Higher Education Hurling and Football Teams of the Year in 2022 while playing for MTU Kerry.
In 2024, Mackessy made headlines by transferring from his childhood club, St Brendan’s, to O’Loughlin Gaels, marking his move from Kerry to Kilkenny. This was a notable shift, as Kilkenny has rarely included players from outside the county in its ranks. Mackessy made history by winning a Leinster SHC medal in 2025, becoming the first non-native player to achieve this with Kilkenny in nearly a century.
Despite this achievement, Mackessy struggled to secure a regular starting position, often remaining on the bench during key matches, including the 2025 Leinster final against Galway. Now, at 28, his future with Kilkenny appears uncertain as Shefflin, a county legend, begins his first year as manager.
Alongside Mackessy, other notable absences from the 2027 panel include fellow O’Loughlin Gaels player Luke Hogan and several young talents such as Pádraic Moylan, Jeff Neary, Rory Glynn, and Michael Brennan. These changes come amid a period of transition for Kilkenny, following the retirements of key figures like Eoin Murphy and TJ Reid.
Murphy, regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers of his era, retired last month, while Reid, the top scorer in hurling championship history, announced his departure last week. Reid cited the anticipated length of Shefflin’s rebuilding process as a factor in his decision.
As Kilkenny undergoes these transformations, the future of other players, such as Huw Lawlor, remains uncertain. Lawlor, Mackessy’s clubmate, missed the 2026 season, and his status for 2027 is yet to be confirmed.
With these developments, it seems Shefflin’s efforts to reshape the team are already underway.
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