TADHG KENNELLY
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Age: 30
Height: 190cm
Drafted: Pick 9, 1999 rookie draft
Games: 197 (Sydney Swans 2001-08; 2010-11)
Goals: 30
Highlight: 2005 premiership vs West Coast
ALBURY has landed a spectacular coup by securing former Sydney Swans premiership star Tadhg Kennelly.
In another staggering signing by an Ovens and Murray club, the Tigers last night announced the bombshell to players and officials before training.
Kennelly will play the final five home and away matches of the season plus finals in a marquee signing that comes hot on the heels of Brendan Fevola’s arrival at Yarrawonga and Barry Hall’s signing with Wangaratta Rovers.
The 190cm former AFL speedster was first linked to Albury in early April when he was spotted talking to Tiger officials during junior NSW-ACT trials at the Albury Sportsground.
But the talks only intensified in recent weeks when Kennelly was confident he would have the time to combine his commitments as head coach of the under-16 NSW-ACT Rams and as an AFL Ambassador.
Kennelly was in Albury at the weekend with former Geelong star Brad Ottens and ex-Sydney team-mate Jason Saddington, who also have coaching roles with NSW-ACT.
Albury co-coach Daniel Maher said Kennelly would be an outstanding acquisition for the reigning premier on and off the ground as it chased a record fourth successive premiership.
“All the innuendo started early days, but with his commitments it was put on the back-burner for a while and then we caught up with Tadhg over the weekend,” he said.
“He’s been very genuine all the way along and is here for the right reasons.
“He’ll be a great asset with his experience and obvious ability.
“We just told the players tonight and it’s pretty exciting news for the club.”
Kennelly, 30, works with former Albury coach and defender Luke Carroll in a junior development role and is expected to debut against Lavington at Lavington Oval on July 28.
The dashing defender played 197 matches for Sydney between 2001 and 2011 and became the first Irishman to win an AFL premiership when the Swans defeated West Coast in the 2005 grand final.
He returned to Ireland in 2009 and achieved a life-long ambition of winning a National Football League medal when Kerry beat Derry in the final at Croke Park.
Kennelly made an AFL comeback for Sydney in 2010 and played his final AFL game in the Swans’ semi-final defeat to Hawthorn.