Kerry’s Tadhg Kennelly was rewarded last night for the eight years he spent in the AFL - with a place in the Sydney Swans Hall of Fame.
VIDEO: An emotional @TadhgKennelly spoke to SwansTV after being inducted into the Hall of Fame:http://t.co/LXkqcdfmbe pic.twitter.com/sKRSxUTKoD
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) March 19, 2015
Kennelly joined the side as a rookie in 1999 and went on to make 197 appearances in a hugely successful career.
In 2005 he became the AFL’s first Irish-born player to receive a premiership medallion.
Congratulations @TadhgKennelly - inducted into @sydneyswans Hall of Fame http://t.co/HKEG5BNGZt pic.twitter.com/t6Xa9OjVP7
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) March 18, 2015
The player expressed his gratitude at the honour, and appeared to hold back tears during the awards ceremony.
The Sydney Swans website also published a tribute to the player.
“Little did the AFL know in 1999 that it was not only unearthing a superstar of the game but, much in the same mould as the late Jim Stynes, pave the way and encourage future international recruits to learn and love Australian Rules football.
"After arriving at the Swans via a rookie contract, a very green Kennelly spent hours upon hours learning the craft and adapting to a new way of life. It was a tough road for the son of a Gaelic Football champion who had never previously travelled abroad.
"Swans supporters are to this day thankful Kennelly stuck to the task.”
Kennelly famously returned to Kerry in 2009 and was part of the team that won the All Ireland that year.
He received congratulations on the honour from some of his Kerry team-mates.
@TadhgKennelly @sydneyswans Congrats Tadghie... They might give u another 1 4 d jig u danced after final #Fatherted#Dancingpriest
— . (@altsbyaddidas) March 18, 2015
What a life achievement by @TadhgKennelly @sydneyswans Great team-mate, great attitude, great story.
— paul galvin (@pgal10) March 18, 2015