Place in history for Kennelly and Swans

Tadhg Kennelly did what Ireland's greatest Aussie Rules exponent Jim Stynes failed to do in his lengthy career today - win an AFL Premiership Grand final.

The 24-year-old Kerryman made history by becoming the first Irishman to win a Premiership title as the Sydney Swans determinedly held on to defeat the West Coast Eagles 58-54 in today's season decider at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Although Dublin-born ruckman Stynes won the coveted Brownlow Medal in 1991, he lost consecutive Grand finals with Melbourne in 1987 and 1988.

In the early hours of this morning, a crowd of 91,898 watched the Swans, who relocated to Sydney from south Melbourne in 1982, claim their first "flag" since 1933 and Kennelly, watched by his parents Tim and Nuala, was fittingly central to the ending of that drought.

Ever present this season, Kennelly made a 150-metre sprint to kick a second quarter goal - only his second of the 2005 campaign - to help the Swans establish a 39-19 half-time lead.

Although the Eagles, spurred on by Chris Judd, who was awarded the Norm Smith medal for a man-of-the-match performance, brought the difference back to 41-39 by the end of the third quarter, and then took the lead, Paul Roos' Swans battled back for victory.

Arnon Buchanan kicked Sydney's final goal of an 8 goal-10 behinds tally as the final ended with fourteen goalless minutes and a stunning defensive mark by Sydney's Leo Barry.

Captain Barry Hall, the 6ft 4in shaven-headed fulcrum of the Swans attack who terrorized Ireland's defence in the 2003 International Rules series, top-scored with two goals and a behind.

A jubilant Kennelly, who lost the 1999 All-Ireland Under-21 final with Kerry, finished with stats of 7 kicks, 7 hand possessions, 3 marks, 3 tackles and a goal.