Kennelly supports moves for the revival of series

International Rules:Listowel native Tadhg Kennelly supports moves to revive the controversial International Rules Series which was cancelled after the thuggery which marred Australia's victory at Croke Park last year.

Kennelly, the only Irishman to win an AFL Premiership, paid perhaps the biggest price for its cancellation as he was in line to captain Ireland this year in Australia.

"I was promised it," he said. "I'm waiting for it. It's really disappointing it's not happening this year but in retrospect, maybe (GAA president) Nicky Brennan and even the players got too heated over what happened.

"Things were said in the heat of the moment and then people felt as if they had to stand behind what was said. (Irish coach) Seán Boylan has been in touch with me a couple of times and I'm in constant contact with Kieran McGeeney and Pádraic Joyce.

"It's obviously a touchy subject at home at the moment but I think the way forward is to look at the rules and get it right."

When Kennelly arrived in Sydney as a teenager in 1999, he could not have envisaged eight years later he would be adopted as a mentor by other Irish Aussie Rules players. That is what has happened as the AFL's Irish contingent has swelled to its biggest ever with Aisake and Setanta Ó hAilpín at Carlton, Colm Begley at Brisbane, and the latest recruit, Collingwood's Martin Clarke.

With over 115 AFL games under his belt, Kennelly talks up the opportunities that await young GAA recruits who hope to pursue a professional career in Australia.

"The more (Irish players) the better," he said. "I think the more success Setanta, Colm and I have the more Irish kids might want to have a crack. AFL clubs have got scholarships and incentives for Irish lads to come out here and play, so it's a great opportunity."

The Kerry man believes the only way the GAA can prevent players defecting to Aussie Rules is to pay them but, he insists, that is not the only issue.

"Money would also stop players going to soccer and rugby but the truth is the GAA could not sustain a professional game," he says. "We just don't have the population. It's more about treating players better and, in fairness, they are getting treated better but that's more to do with the county boards."