 He was sprung from the bench in that year's provincial decider and collected his first Leinster medal on the field of play following Kilkenny's 2–16 to 1–16 defeat of reigning champions Wexford.Fennelly was confined to the bench for Kilkenny's subsequent 1–15 to 2–8 defeat by Cork in the All-Ireland final.Fennelly was appointed captain of the team in 1979.