Tadhg Kennelly’s status as a Sydney Swans great will never be in doubt, after his induction into the club’s Hall of Fame last night.
Appropriately, the only Irishman ever to win AFL and All-Ireland football titles was given the honour the day after St Patrick’s day, at the club’e new season launch.
The induction of Kennelly was also just two days shy of the third anniversary of the death of Jim Stynes, who is regarded as the pioneer of Irish Aussie Rues players.
Kennelly joined the club as an 18-year-old in 1999, making his debut two years later.
He was a regular fixture for the club in the half-back line from there on, and scored a goal in the 2005 AFL Grand Final, as the Swans beat the West Coast Eagles in dramatic circumstances, winning their first title in 72 years.
Kennelly returned home to Kerry for the 2009 championship season, and was part of the side that won the All-Ireland that season, becoming the first and only man to ever win both titles.
He then rejoined the Swans before retiring in 2011, and is now an International Talent Coordinator for the League, as well as Head Coach of the NSW/ACT Rams.
Last night on Twitter, Kennelly said he was overwhelmed with the honour.
https://twitter.com/TadhgKennelly/status/578297539314614272
https://twitter.com/TadhgKennelly/status/578406705827958784
Kennelly played 197 games for the club in his two stints, and played six championship games for Kerry in 2009.
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