Kennedy first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Kilkenny senior hurling team in the mid-1940s.
A huge crowd of 70,000 saw Kilkenny claw their way back in the second-half, however, victory went to Tipp on a score line of 5–6 to 3–6.
Arch-rivals Cork were the opposition on the day, however, after scoring five goals in the second-half it was the Munstermen who took the title leaving Kennedy on the losing side once again.
In the 1947 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Kennedy was appointed captain of the team for the year.
Kennedy also lined out with Leinster in the inter-provincial hurling competition, however, he never won a Railway Cup medal.