Kennelly helps Swans reach Grand Final

SIX years after taking up Australian Rules Football, Kerry native Tadhg Kennelly will play in the sport's biggest day - the AFL Grand Final.

Last night, Kennelly, watched by his parents Tim and Nuala along with brother Noel and uncle Mike, helped the Sydney Swans to a stunning victory over St Kildas in the preliminary final.

The Swans won their first such fixture at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since 1936 to move into only their second Grand Final since 1945 as they steamrolled a tired Saints' outfit in the final term with seven unanswered goals to win 15.6 (96) to 9.11 (65) before more than 73,000 fans.

Kennelly becomes the first Irish man since Jim Stynes to play in the AFL season decider. Hopefully the result will be better.

In 1987, Stynes' Melbourne were leading Hawthorn with a minute to go when the Dubliner made the mistake of running across a free for the opposition. His error resulted in a 15 metre penalty which Gary Buckenara goaled after the final siren for a two point win.

Sydney will chase its first premiership since 1933 against either West Coast or Adelaide in the Grand Final next week as two non-Victorian teams will again fight it out for the ultimate prize for the second year in succession.

Though brother Noel will return to Ireland early next week to rejoin the Kerry squad for the All-Ireland SFC final against Tyrone, Tadhg's parents are to remain in Australia for the biggest night of their son's sporting career.

"We have received about 50 e-mails already asking us about showing the Grand Final live," TG4 sports editor Rónán Ó Coisdealbha, whose station has exclusive AFL rights in Ireland, said yesterday.

"It will be Monday morning before we know what the situation is. Currently we collect the tape in Melbourne and have it DHL'd back to Ireland and we show the games six days later on our Saturday programme.

"But the number of requests has been staggering. It just shows the interest in Aussie Rules in this country. Hopefully we can reach some compromise."

The Swans however may well have to do it without MVP Barry Hall after he appeared to punch opponent Matt Maguire in the stomach. Hall was not reported but the incident is to be scrutinised by the AFL match review panel.

Swans coach Paul Roos was delighted with the win. "It was a phenomenal effort by the guys. We were 2-4 early in the season, and copping it from everywhere. All credit to the players and the assistant coaches for remaining steadfast."

Meanwhile, another Irish AFL export, Setanta Ó hAilpín will line out for Na Piarsaigh in tomorrow's Cork county SFC against O'Donovan Rossa in Ballineen.

The Carlton Blues professional is flying into Cork today in preparation for the Northside's first championship football game since April.

Stetanta made a dramatic return to the Na Piarsaigh hurling side that went on to win the county championship last year.

"Setanta's return will be a great asset to the side and hopefully after the long trip he will recover sufficiently to play a major part in the contest," said a club spokesman.