World Footy News

Swans defender Tadhg Kennelly has had knee surgery today. Kennelly twisted his knee in a training mishap in Ireland last week and immediately returned to Australia for assessment.

While many readers may find it unusual that an AFL player is doing this sort of unsupervised training - and in fact some players have contracts that forbid this sort of thing - it is quite common for Irish players to not only train while in Ireland but to compete in Gaelic football matches in the offseason.



Sydney Swans physiotherapist Matt Cameron said Kennelly had surgery to repair the medial ligament in his right knee, and also had a clean-up of knee cartilage. Cameron said Kennelly would be able to start running in eight to 10 weeks, and should be ready to join team training in March.

“We’re hopeful he will be fit for round one of the 2011 season in late March,’’ Cameron said. Kennelly stayed in Ireland to see his family and to train after the International Rules Series against Australia in October. He was training with his brother’s Gaelic football side when the mishap occurred. Kennelly told Swans coach John Longmire that he simply felt his foot stick in the turf and then his knee twisted.

An incident such as this could see AFL clubs put heavier restrictions on their Irish recruits who return home during the offseason break.