Paul Roos, head coach of the Australian Rules side the Sydney Swans, believes that Tadhg Kennelly has returned from his season in Ireland better than ever.
Kennelly left Australia last year and returned home and won an All-Ireland medal with his native Kerry, playing an important role in his county's march to glory.
The Listowel star had suffered a succession of injuries prior to his season in Ireland, and Roos reckons the break has been good for him.
‘It’s great to have him back and have him fully healthy,’ the Swans boss said in the Irish Examiner, speaking after a practice match.
‘He was definitely playing wounded before he went home (to play with Kerry) and he was frustrated because he couldn’t play the way he wanted to.
‘But having 12 months off (from playing Australian rules) and playing Gaelic has really helped him. He was really dominant in the game today.’
Derry’s Chris McKaigue took to the field in the same match for his first competitive outing for the Swans.
Roos said: ‘He did really well. He was aggressive and read the play well. He certainly doesn’t mind the physical contact. It was an impressive hit-out from him.
'With Irish players it takes them a while to realise that you can be tackled from the side or the back or the front or you can be bumped during a stoppage but he’s adapted really well.’
