Kennelly's return influenced Cavanagh to stay

SEÁN CAVANAGH admitted the desire of Irish AFL star Tadhg Kennelly to return and win an All-Ireland medal with Kerry influenced his decision not to join the Brisbane Lions.

The Tyrone star, who at 22 has achieved more than most players in their lifetime, admitted that the lure of a professional career may have been greater if he was younger and his county wasn't so successful.

"It was not good enough to take me away and the financial aspect didn't really come into play. I wanted to stay at home with friends and family where I am a big name. Why would I want to come out to Australia and risk playing a game I might not even be good at. It was a risk and I'm happy with the decision I made. Every young player when he's growing up, especially back in Ireland, would want to be a professional player. And the whole lifestyle would obviously attract you out to Australia, consider it's raining and snowing back home. It was a huge decision to make but it's a great time to be with Tyrone."

Cavanagh said he was aware that Kennelly's contract is 'up' next year and that he has stated his hope to return and win an All-Ireland with Kerry.

"Even though he's a big star in Australia, he still wants to come home and play for his county. Certainly that was an influence in my decision. I know it is a worry back home that the AFL clubs are going to take the cream of the crop, but I'd have no problem with that. It's a good opportunity for guys to come out to Australia at 18 or 19. It's their decision.''

Meanwhile Laois star Ross Munnelly is looking forward to his test debut after having been ruled out by injury last week.

"I'm under no illusions. They are big fellows, they're strong and they are aggressive. That probably wouldn't be a huge part of my game. I'm just going to have to try and use my strengths to turn in a decent performance. Last week, the Australians got on top from the first minute and seemed to get on a roll. It's not surprising they are red-hot favourites this time.

"For us, this game is about reclaiming pride and respect back home. We are under no doubts as to how tough it's going to be. It's a daunting task.''

Manager Pete McGrath has declined to give any hints about his starting line-up. Amusingly, he told an Australian journalist yesterday that he should use his 'professional judgement' to determine whether or not Colm Cooper [a minor celebrity and a favourite with the television commentators] will play.

"If I write an article about him [Gooch] tomorrow, am I wasting my time if the guy's not going to play...'' the journalist asked.

McGrath explained the fact that Cooper and Eoin Brosnan played a match the day before they came out and had difficulties on the flight out effectively meant they were 48 hours 'behind' the rest of the squad in acclimatising and getting ready for the first game. That was why he waited so long before introducing Cooper.

And he agreed that it had been difficult for the team's inside players because of a poor supply. In effect, they were "living on scraps", rather than on good quality passes, he said.

Meanwhile the Munster squad to face Ulster in Sunday's M Donnelly Inter-pro semi-final was announced yesterday.

MUNSTER (SF v Ulster): J Considine (Clare), K Dilleen (Clare), R Donnelly (Clare), C McCarthy (Cork), D Duggan (Cork), F Gould (Cork), J Masters (Cork), K McMahon (Cork), K O'Sullivan (Cork), K O'Connor (Cork), N Geary (Cork), N Murphy (Cork), A O'Mahony (Kerry), K Donaghy (Kerry), M McCarthy (Kerry), P Kelly (Kerry), C Fitzgerald (Limerick), J Galvin (Limerick), J McCarthy (Limerick), T Stack (Limerick), S Kiely (Limerick), B Lacey (Tipperary), D Browne (Tipperary), N Curran (Tipperary), P Fitzgerald (Tipperary), G Hurney (Waterford), L Ó Lionain (Waterford).