Cavanagh cites Kennelly influence
Tyrone star Sean Cavanagh has cited Tadhg Kennelly's desire to come home and win an All-Ireland medal with Kerry as one of the reasons he turned down a rookie contract offer from Aussie Rules club the Brisbane Lions.
The 22-year-old Cavanagh was offered a two-year deal recently by Brisbane, who are in the process of rebuilding their ageing squad, but declined it to stay on for a crack at a third All-Ireland title with the Red Hands next year.
Sydney Swans star Kennelly, who became the first Irishman to win an AFL Premiership title last month, has been plying his trade Down Under since 1999.
But with his current contract with the Swans expiring next summer, an immediate return to Gaelic football for the Listowel native, who is currently recovering from an ankle operation, has been muted.
Kennelly's evident desire to return home and play again in the green and gold of Kerry was "a factor" in Cavanagh's decision to continue his round-ball career.
Currently in Melbourne with Ireland's International Rules squad, Cavanagh admitted: "Even though Tadhg would have been out here and he's a big star in Australia, he still wanted to come home and play for his county and play for the pride of his jersey and certainly that was an influence in my decision."
