Kennelly back to best, says Roos

SYDNEY SWANS coach Paul Roos believes Tadhg Kennelly has benefited from his season in Ireland.

Kennelly quit the AFL to return home last year and played a central role in the Kingdom’s championship success.

The Listowel man had been plagued with injury prior to his break from Australia and 12 months on, Roos is convinced the break has been a big boost for the Premiership winner.

“It’s great to have him back and have him fully healthy,” the Swans boss said after an inter-club practice game.

“He was definitely playing wounded before he went home (to play with Kerry) and he was frustrated because he couldn’t play the way he wanted to.

“But having 12 months off (from playing Australian rules) and playing Gaelic has really helped him. He was really dominant in the game today.”

But Kennelly wasn’t the only Irish man to impress. Derry’s Chris McKaigue had his first competitive outing for the New South Wales-based club, with the former Gaelic footballer playing at half-back.

Roos said: “He did really well. He was aggressive and read the play well. He certainly doesn’t mind the physical contact. It was an impressive hit-out from him. With Irish players it takes them a while to realise that you can be tackled from the side or the back or the front or you can be bumped during a stoppage but he’s adapted really well.”