Another Kerry blow as Kennelly eyes Swans return

KERRY coach Jack O’Connor is bracing himself for a third body blow to his 2010 Championship plans, with Tadhg Kennelly poised to agree a full-time return to the professional ranks of the AFL next season.

Kennelly will return next week to Australia to promote his controversial autobiography and is set to begin formal talks on a return to the Sydney Swans while Down Under.

He’s made no formal announcement in Kerry about his departure, but has intimated to a couple of close friends in the Kerry set-up that he won’t be around next season.

With Tommy Walsh contracted to the AFL’s St Kilda, and David Moran hoping to secure a deal with the same club, it’s a considerable blow to O’Connor’s hopes of retaining Sam Maguire next season.

Kennelly’s departure would be a serious loss to Kerry. His powerful finish to the campaign won him his cherished All-Ireland medal, and an All Star, with stellar displays against Dublin, Meath and Cork. However it was his botched admission in his autobiography, ‘Unfinished Business’ that he ‘targeted’ Cork’s Nicholas Murphy in the opening seconds of September’s final that has landed him in hot water.

Kennelly (28) subsequently apologised for his actions: “I wouldn’t go out to deliberately do anything to sully my father’s memory or the good name of Kerry football. And I never have. I’m not that type of footballer. I sincerely apologise to all Kerry supporters and the management team if I have in any way caused distress.”

How much of an influence the controversy has had on his decision whether to play AFL or gaelic football next year is uncertain. However, having achieved his lifelong goal of emulating his father, Tim, and brother, Noel in winning All-Ireland medals with Kerry, he is seriously tempted by the prospect of a return to the Swans.

There’s also the lure of a lucrative new AFL contract that would give him financial security going forward.

Swans coach Paul Roos says he will not be putting any pressure on Kennelly to return to the club following his season with Kerry. The Listowel native remains a part of the Swans’ squad and as a result, they could wait until just before the AFL’s final list lodgement on December 2, before either including him, or delisting him.

Roos said: “It’s really up to Tadhg. The main thing is to make the decision himself. At the end of the day you’ve go to be happy with your own decision.”