Sydney give Kennelly a month's compassionate leave
Sydney Swans defender Tadhg Kennelly has been afforded a month's compassionate leave by the AFL Premiership champions following the death of his father Tim.
Former Kerry footballing great Tim Kennelly died on Tuesday afternoon of a suspected heart attack at his home in Listowel. His youngest son Tadhg, who played a pivotal role in the Swans' Grand final win in September, flew home yesterday with former Swans assistant coach George Stone to attend the funeral.
The removal of the remains occurs tomorrow evening from Carroll's Funeral Home, Listowel to the local church. The burial will take place after 11am mass on Saturday morning.
Tadhg, 24, is not expected to link back up with his Sydney team mates until the eve of their January 15 exhibition match against the Kangaroos at the UCLA stadium in Los Angeles.
Swans coach Paul Roos said: "It is a massive shock for Tadhg and no question it is a tough time, especially when you are so far away from your family, as well. We just have to get him back there as quickly as possible and get him amongst his immediate family.
"We will give him as much time as he wants back home and probably see him in LA."
Tim Kennelly and his wife Nuala attended Sydney's Grand final win over West Coast at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in September, and the five-times All-Ireland SFC winner described the moment afterwards as "a fairytale".
