He subsequently attended St Patrick's College in Drumcondra, Dublin, where he qualified as a national school teacher.

He was a member of the record-breaking Mayo team that won six consecutive National Football League titles from 1934 until 1939.

Kenny retained his seat at the 1957 general election; however, Fine Gael lost power as Fianna Fáil began sixteen years of uninterrupted government.

During that time he retained his Dáil seat at every general election, moving to the Mayo West constituency in 1969.

The results of the 1973 general election saw Fine Gael and the Labour Party form a coalition government.