01/10/2026
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts we share the news on the passing of a Kiltormer icon, with the great Andy Fenton going to his eternal resting place. Andy faced his recent illness with the exact same bravery, resilience, grit and dignity that defined his glittering sporting career.
Andy first represented Clontuskert in his initial underage playing days where they reached the U14 county final in 1966, a sign of things to come for Andy. By 1969, despite being the tender age of 17, Andy played a pivotal role in the historic amalgamation of Clontuskert, Laurencetown, and Kiltormer into the club we know today. Great success followed at a pace and Andy was to the fore. An Intermediate title arrived in 1975 followed quickly by back-to-back Senior county titles in 1976 and 1977, both senior victories were captained by the man himself. It wasn’t just on the hurling field that Andy tasted success with Kiltormer, he was part of our rise to the Senior club football ranks with county titles won in Junior (1979) and Intermediate (1980). His football career peaked with a Senior quarter-final appearance versus Dunmore McHales in 1981, defeating football kingpins Corofin along the way that year.
On the inter-county stage, Andy represented Galway with immense distinction during the county’s 1970’s hurling renaissance. He played in All Ireland hurling finals at Minor in 1970 in a defeat to Cork, U21 in 1972 in a victory against Dublin (Galway’s first All-Ireland at this grade and Galway’s first All-Ireland Hurling title since the Senior victory in 1923) and Senior in 1979 in a defeat to Kilkenny.
His sporting prowess extended far and wide. Andy won two Fitzgibbon Cups with Maynooth in 1973 and 1974 while another unique achievement was representing Connacht in the Railway Cup at the age of 18! He also was a talented rugby player in his younger days winning a Connacht Senior Cup with Garbally.
Andy was a keen golfer and long standing member of Ballinasloe Golf Club, where he was the Senior Captain in 2023. Most recently, Andy proudly served as the 2026 Captain of Báireoirí na Gaillimhe, the network dedicated to Galway hurlers of all eras and levels. It was a wonderful milestone that he was able to attend his Captain’s Prize in Ballinasloe at the beginning of September. Horse racing was another passion and he was always a good man for a flutter, while on occasion he could be spotted enjoying a pint of Guinness in The Hill or Mothers, enjoying the company of his large circle of friends.
When his playing days concluded, Andy’s devotion to Kiltormer never wavered and he continued to be a hugely influential figure. He was heavily involved in all aspects of the club from managing numerous teams at both adult and juvenile level to serving multiple terms as Club Chairman. Andy was also the driving force behind our annual golf classic fundraiser every year from its initial inception in 1995 right up to our most recent outing in August. Andy was the ultimate leader who commanded respect from everyone both locally and further afield. He had a great ability of getting things done, which proved an invaluable asset for the club when fundraising and developing our facilities to organising club celebrations and get togethers. It was very hard to refuse a request from Andy, driven partly out of deep respect and partly out of a little fear!
While Kiltormer and sport in general was a big part of Andy’s life, he was a family man first and foremost. All in Kiltormer GAA Club would like to extend our deepest condolences to Andy's family on their great loss. In particular to Anne, his devoted wife of 49 years, his loving children, Deirdre, Cathal, Aoife and Enda, their spouses Declan, James and Ciara and his twelve grandchildren, whom he adored. Sincere sympathies also to Andy’s siblings Ann, Felicity and Tomas and the extended Fenton and Monaghan families in this difficult time.
Andy will be reposing in Kiltormer Sports Complex on Friday 2nd October from 4.00pm to 7.00pm. Requiem Mass at 12noon on Saturday 3rd in Kiltormer Church. Burial afterwards in the adjoining Cemetery.
Details of a guard of honour will be circulated in due course where we will give Andy the send off he deserves.
Andy Fenton, in every sense of the word, a gentleman of the highest order. While we will deeply miss his presence, we are grateful for the incredible legacy he leaves behind.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
