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Kennelly in International Rules action for Ireland. ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Limbo

Longmire insists Kennelly still has AFL future as Kerry refuse to comment

Tadhg Kennelly still has a future in the AFL, according the Sydney Swans coach John Longmire, while Kerry insist they know nothing of the player’s plans.

TADHG KENNELLY’S CAREER in the AFL is anything but finished, insists Sydney Swans coach John Longmire, despite the fact that the 30-year-old has recently lost his place in the team.

Kennelly was dropped for the crunch clash against St Kilda last weekend, with reports emerging that his 193-game career in Australia was at an end. He has not earned a recall for the weekend clash with Geelong as Longmire only named him as an emergency.

Despite the fact that he is currently languishing in the reserves, however, Longmire has told the Sydney Morning Herald that Kennelly still has a role to play this season.

“Yes – is the short answer,” Longmire responded, when asked if Kennelly still figured in his thoughts.

“Tadhg’s played on the weekend, had 30-odd possessions – we had a really good win in our reserves, but he certainly got enough of the footy to suggest he’s still got something to give this year.

“There’s a couple of important games to go obviously, and he’s certainly in calculations for those games. We certainly haven’t put a line through him at all.”

Kennelly’s contract with the Swans only runs until 2012, with speculation that he could return to Ireland to play for his native Kerry in next year’s campaign.

The Kingdom, however, were remaining non-committal on the prospect when contacted by The Score on Friday morning.

“The only person who can talk about Tadhg Kennelly’s future plans is Tadhg Kennelly,” a Kerry representative said.

For more on this story from the Sydney Morning Herald, click here >