Kennelly and AFL risking GAA’s wrath

THE GAA and their Australian Rules counterparts could be on a collision course following confirmation that Tadhg Kennelly will work on the AFL’s international player development programme.

Kennelly, one of Ireland’s most successful converts to the game, is tasked with nurturing and developing young talent in Australia and around Europe. The announcement also ends speculation that the All-Ireland winner was set for a return to Jack O’Connor’s squad in 2012.

However the news has led to mixed reaction down under. One Australian source said: “Why would the AFL be funding Tadhg Kennelly to go and develop players in Ireland? The GAA will blow their top. They’re supposed to be helping one another, and what do they say? ‘We’re going to run development programs for Gaelic kids to come and try and play AFL football so the AFL clubs can come and watch them all and then pick who they want’.