A setback in Sydney

THOSE OF you who enjoyed our recent interview with Australian Rules recruit Barry O’Connor will recall his delight at having Tadhg Kennelly involved with his Sydney Swans club. The Kerry All-Ireland winner was part of the coaching team, and he was a big help to the St. Martin’s youngster in the settling-in process.

‘He’s been there and done it all, so it’s good to have someone like him in your corner,’ Barry told Dave Devereux.

However, it now looks like Kennelly is set for an uncertain future, as he was another casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic last week.

Swans have been forced into making cuts to their staff as part of the cost-saving measure, and the Listowel native has been stood down by the Sydney club ahead of the AFL’s re-start next month.

Kennelly was a big favourite with supporters after featuring prominently in their 2005 Premiership triumph, and he went on to fulfil a lifelong ambition by returning home and follow in the footsteps of his late father, Tim, as an All-Ireland Senior football medal winner with Kerry.

After going back down under, he had built his coaching credentials and was an assistant with special responsibility for defence last year.

He was due to take charge of the Swans’ midfield alongside

Jarrad McVeigh, who has recently retired.

However, that role has now been given solely to McVeigh, with clubs only allowed a maximum of 25 football department staff.