Kennelly and O hAilpín set to clash down under
The Listowel man will play his first Aussie Rules match in almost 18 months in the first round of the pre-season NAB Cup.
In the opposite corner will be Cork city man, Setanta O hAilpín, who was named in Carlton’s squad for the game and is expected to be picked in the forward division. With Kennelly rated as one of the AFL’s best defenders prior to his brief return to Ireland, the likelihood is that the pair will cross paths at some stage.
Kennelly has picked up where he left off since going back to Sydney and the player himself believes he has prolonged his career by virtue of taking a year off.
His last season with the Swans had been heavily disrupted by shoulder injuries brought on by wear and tear, but a year away from the rough and tumble of Aussie Rules has enabled his body to recover. Co-captain Craig Bolton is amongst those expressing excitement about Kennelly’s form entering a new campaign.
“It’s like he never really went overseas for a year” said Bolton. “So we’re looking forward to having him back there in the backline this week.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine and play really well. He’s been really impressive at training, along with Nick Malceski. They’ve been standout performers so far on the training track so we’re looking forward to seeing big things from them in the pre-season.”
O hAilpín has been the focus of much attention as Carlton supporters wonder where goals will come from following the sacking of Brendan Fevola, the club’s leading scorer for the past seven seasons.
The Blues feel that they have plenty of tall men to take up the slack however, with O hAilpín’s improved form from centre-forward last term placing him in the mix.
The former young hurler of the year has also benefited from an injury free run-up to the campaign for the first time in many years and will be hoping to keep Kennelly and co on the back foot tomorrow.
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