Kennelly signs three year deal

Star Sydney Swans defender Tadhg Kennelly today announced he had signed a new three-year contract with the Club which will take him through until the end of the 2009 season.

“We are delighted to announce that Tadhg has come to terms with the Club for three years, but at the same time Tadhg has indicated this will be his last contract in Australia,” coach Paul Roos said.

“Certainly there are great pressures on Tadhg to return home to his family in Ireland and we fully understand those pressures but we are happy he has made the decision to stay for the present time.”

Tadhg said it has been a tough time for him, especially following the sudden death of his father Tim last year, and it wasn’t until a recent visit from him mother Nuala and sister Joanne that he was able to confirm his intentions to remain a Swan.

“It was a very tough decision to make but I’m happy we have now resolved the next few years of my career,” Tadhg said.

“There has been a lot of soul searching and it wasn’t until I spent a few weeks with my mother and sister that I was able to finally commit to the Club.

“But now I have it’s a relief, I’m sticking with the Swans for now however ultimately I’ll be heading back to Ireland.”

Tadhg Kennelly joined the Swans from Ireland as a rookie in 1999 and made his debut in 2001.

Since then he has become one of the success stories of the AFL playing 119 games and along the way becoming a premiership player and representing Ireland three times in the International Rules Series.