Kennelly eyes AFL ambassador role amid Irish exodus fears

TADHG KENNELLY wants to become the Australian Football League’s (AFL) first Irish ambassador, a role which he hopes would prevent Gaelic football from turning into a meat market for the oval code.

The Listowel man has voiced fears about the increasing levels of interest shown by Aussie Rules clubs in young Irish footballers. Kennelly believes that a minority of teams have the expertise and experience to train and look after Irish arrivals, and that many who travel over will not be afforded the optimum conditions in which to prove themselves.

However, his own successes in Sydney – he became the first Irishman to win a Premiership medal in 2005 – are proof of the possibilities, and he is keen to maintain his link with his adopted code and country after his career winds down.