World Footy News

Former Sydney Swan star Tadhg Kennelly has hinted that he may return to Australia once the current Gaelic football season finishes. The Herald Sun newspaper has quoted both Kennelly and his former coach Paul Roos, with both men appearing to be open to the suggestion of a return.

Kennelly, although reluctant to commit either way appears to be open-minded. “I don’t really know what is going to happen. I am here (in Ireland) now, I am doing my thing here and I don’t want to think about that other stuff,” he said. “In a way it is the same as when I was in Oz. There, I was focused on playing with the Swans and in the back of my mind I thought I would go home at some stage.”

This would appear to suggest that it is something he has been giving serious consideration. “Now I am the same. I am focused on my goal of playing with Kerry, do everything I can to do that successfully, but in the back of my mind there is an opportunity to go back and play (in Sydney) for a couple of years.” It would be a surprise if some informal talks have not already taken place.

Kennelly is the sole Irish player to have won a premiership medal, being instrumental in the Swans 2005 triumph and his return would be welcomed back especially since they have struggled to reach those peaks in recent years. Paul Roos recognizes the importance a player of his proven ability and experience could bring. “I would pick him because he is a special person,” said Roos. “I mean I know he would die for you, so provided his body is okay and he got through the year I’d take him back (next year) in a heartbeat.”

Indeed injuries were a large consideration for Kennelly’s return to Ireland this year. During the 2007 and ’08 seasons he missed substantial periods due to shoulder and knee problems and it was felt that after several years missing only a handful of games the physical nature of the sport was taking a toll on his body. But the main reason he returned to his native Kerry was for the chance to emulate his late father in winning the All Ireland championship. Kerry are the most successful team in the history of the game in Ireland and only last season they were denied their third championship in a row in losing the final to Tyrone.

Although Kennelly had not played the Irish version of the game for many years he has thrived in the return to his first sporting passion. “In a way it was just like riding a bike and I have now found the confidence again, which is great. It took me a good three months to get back because I am used to (in the AFL) playing on players who are just as good or just as defensively minded,” he says. “They were always after me and I was always trying to think of ways to beat them, whereas here I had to get the belief I could beat them and be a better player. That has come now but I am still off from where I want to be.”

Despite playing in the back line for the Swans, Kennelly made his championship debut 2 weeks ago in midfield in a drawn match with Cork and was moved to half forward for the replay which Kerry lost. As Gaelic football is an amateur sport the lure of returning to a professional contract has to be great. He is currently employed as a coaching development officer for the Kerry County Board but this would not compare to the salary he enjoyed at with Sydney where he remains on their official playing list.

It remains to be seen what will happen at the end of this year but any decision may hinge on Kerry’s ability to win the championship and perhaps more importantly if Kennelly thinks his body can withstand several more years in the AFL.