At club level he played with Tullaroan and was also a member of the Kilkenny senior hurling team.
Hennessy first appeared on the inter-county scene with the Kilkenny under-21 team that suffered All-Ireland final defeat by Cork in 1988.
Hennessy would go on to line out in three consecutive All-Ireland finals at senior level and, after defeat by Tipperary in 1991, claimed consecutive winners' medals against Cork in 1992 and Galway in 1993.
[1][2][3] His other honours include two National League titles and three consecutive Leinster Championship medals.
After leaving the panel with the intention of emigrating, Hennessy was recalled for one final season in 1996.