Could we do an Andrew Johns deal with Tadhg ?

[Bart]

The man is clearly desperate on winning an All-Ireland with Kerry. What would prevent us from releasing him to play in Ireland any year once his Swans commitments were over, as Newcastle Knights did with Andrew Johns this year. In a year the Swans didn't make the finals, it would enable him play semis and GF with Kerry should they get that far. (which they do most years)

I mention this because he seems to be making plans.

"My contract is up at the end of the year with the Swans and I don't know what to do yet. I'll be home for the next few weeks and I'll be talking to a few people about it."

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0930/kennelly.html

[Charlie]

I can't imagine him walking away from professional sport and earning about $400,000 a year to go home to work in a pub or a post office at 25.

[j s]

Re: Could we do an Andrew Johns deal with Tadhg ?

Originally posted by Bart
In a year the Swans didn't make the finals, it would enable him play semis and GF with Kerry should they get that far. (which they do most years)[/url]

The problem he would have with that is back in Kerry. There is definitely resistance there to Tadhg waltzing straight back into the team and displacing someone who has played through the season. There was quite a bit of flack when he did this for the U21 team a few years back.

To play for Kerry (without resentment) he will need to be there for the whole season. Maybe a 'sabbatical year' can be arranged especially if he is still exempt from draft rules as a 'foreigner'.

[aceman]

tadhg wood b a complete idiot 2 leave. reckon he's just talking up kerry 2 appease locals, he won't leave, sad but bottomline 4 all modern players is money

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Originally posted by aceman
bottomline 4 all modern players is money

Not so sure, he may feel a considerable need to "fulfill his destiny" All Ireland wise.

[Provost]

Originally posted by aceman
tadhg wood b a complete idiot 2 leave. reckon he's just talking up kerry 2 appease locals, he won't leave, sad but bottomline 4 all modern players is money

Your lack of understanding of this young Irish man's situation is fairly common. He would forgo money to be back at home, to be amongst his family, playing his peoples game and fulfilling what many consider to be his destiny.

The weight on his shoulders in regards to his future is immense, this years premiership with the Swans appeased many at home who couldn't understand why he went to Australia in the first place when he should of been following in his fathers footsteps. But now that he has gone all the way with a team in Australia there will be a feeling that he should return and play in the GAA.

It's hard to explain the feelings of nationalism that are tied into hurling and Gaelic football in rural Ireland if you haven't spent some time amongst familys there.

That all being said there is of course support for Tadhg playing here and I hope that whilst he is at home over the next few weeks besides all the questions of "When are you coming back home to play?" will be encouragement that he should stay on in Australia, for a little while longer at least

I, as I'm sure all of us here would love to see him stay in Australia, fingers crossed that the girlfriend is a good one and can influence his decision some what. Don't however think that the money that will be thrown at him will be the deciding factor.

[aceman]

studying swans stats has given me great insight in2 how player loyalty has changed thru-out the yrs. during the early days of the club a player rarely switched teams, mind u swans players came from vfa clubs or interstate but rarely wood they don the colors of another vfl team. gradually, with the onset of greater pay & professionalism players began to link with other clubs. now it's rare 2 find a player who's played with a single club his entire career. i find the fickleness i current stars upsetting as thr high turn-over of players hurts the character of a clubs & the legacy of player records. if tadhg is some1 who places things such as loyalty ahead of financial rewards, then he's rare among top afl players

[sharpie]

Originally posted by aceman
studying swans stats has given me great insight in2 how player loyalty has changed thru-out the yrs. during the early days of the club a player rarely switched teams, mine u swans players came from vfa clubs or interstate but rarely wood they don the colors of another vfl team. gradually, with the onset of greater pay & professionalism players began to link with other clubs. now it's rare 2 find a player who's played with a single club his entire career. i find the fickleness i current stars upsetting as thr high turn-over of players hurts the character of a clubs & the legacy of player records. if tadhg is some1 who places things such as loyalty ahead of financial rewards, then he's rare among top afl players

If I could actually read that Im sure Id say:

yawn

[aceman]

past ur bed time not-the-sharpest, get 2 bed

[Pommie Swannie]

Re: Re: Could we do an Andrew Johns deal with Tadhg ?

Originally posted by j s
The problem he would have with that is back in Kerry. There is definitely resistance there to Tadhg waltzing straight back into the team and displacing someone who has played through the season. There was quite a bit of flack when he did this for the U21 team a few years back.

To play for Kerry (without resentment) he will need to be there for the whole season. Maybe a 'sabbatical year' can be arranged especially if he is still exempt from draft rules as a 'foreigner'.

And, whilst gaelic football may be slightly similar to AFL, Johns went to England to play the same sport he'd been playing all season. It would be unrealistic to expect Tadhg to walk back in to Gaelic football for just 3 games in a finals series having played a full home & Away season of AFL.

[Bunyip]

Originally posted by aceman
tadhg wood b a complete idiot 2 leave. reckon he's just talking up kerry 2 appease locals, he won't leave, sad but bottomline 4 all modern players is money

I understand your cynicism and share it to a degree. However, if this were truly the case, the players would surely not have reacted the way they did after the GF.

Tadhg, like most of us, is searching for something(s) to be passionate about. Money is good, but it does not satisfy the longings of the spirit.

PS. The text-speak is not the easiest to follow in a longer post.

[sharpie]

Originally posted by aceman
past ur bed time not-the-sharpest, get 2 bed

yawn

[swansrule100]

I hope he doesnt go. But one day he will and i think he has already given us so much as a club. I can understand wanting to be back home, no matter how great sydney is for him.


If Tadgh goes i wish him all the best and will be thanking him for his time at the swans. I have no idea what he will do, but im guessing money wont be as big a factor as some assume!

[Sanecow]

When spelling Tadhg, remember HG Nelson or HG Wells.

[fartyspice]

one solution

I have also been worrying about losing Tadhg back to Ireland, so am looking into improving his personal life while in Sydney - I have text messaged my cousin who is 24 and has a thing for Irish boys. Have suggested she snog him, with the aim of a long term and very happy relationship HERE.