Goodbye Tadhg!

[573v30]

A champion player who will be sorely missed.

[Nico]

I have disagreed with a number of people on here about his form in 2008. I thought under the circumstances it was pretty good and have been a fan of his talents since his second senior season.

I am however on the side of Connolly, RP etc on the breaking of his contract. I heard him on 3AW tonight and it was as if it was "oh well who cares, I have had a great time blah, blah blah" and of course Gerard Healy was right up his clacker. In my mind it was a flippant interview from someone who was happy to take the slaps on the back whilst having no accountability.

The club would have had their team structures in place with him central to our defence and game plan and style. I can only imagine the consummate clubman Kirk must be seething behind closed doors, and even though Roos has been warm and fuzzy in public I have no doubt he will "throwing the furniture around tonight".

You don't pass up $350,000 for no compensation playing amateur footy. Been thinking of it for 6 months. Yeh until he got a similar or substantial offer. Hope he refunds the airfares of December but that's hardly likely. I wonder if they are paying his moving expenses.

Taigh Kennelly: Physical courage - had it in spades
Moral courage - zero - 00000000000000000000000

[Xie Shan]

I don't see anything untoward. Kennelly is retiring to do what he always said he wanted to do, which was win a GAA flag while he's still able. He's actually walking away from a lot of money and a professional career.

The cost to the Swans is limited. We don't have the use of a effecitvely an average player for one season. He could have retired at the end of 08, but spent the off-season trying to get fit for 09.

Any coaching team would take the same decision - it's a much better bet trying to get one of your class players back to full fitness than chopping him from the list in order to punt on a rookie.

Fossie summed it up best (and reflecting the coach's own philosophy): It's just a sport - there are bigger things.

Excellent, well-thought-out and articulate post. On the flip side however totally understand the frustrations of those who are disappointed with the timing of the decision. I assume he's had friends/family in his ear when he went back over Christmas...know what it's like to be under pressure from others to make a decision though.

Our backline in Round 1's gonna look mighty inexperienced though with Leo out injured as well! No pressure Craig

[Bas]

There really is little value of recruiting Irish players. There is always the risk they will go home and when they do the Club gets zero for all the time and effort the have put into them.

Although Kennelly contributed 150 games, he denied an Aussie kid who could have had that plus more and a place in the Club.

Made in Australia for me in the future.

Can someone check with Pyke whether he is yearning to play the Mountie Moose All Klondyke final?

What about Murphy now? I'd play him this year and if he shows potential, trade him to GC17 for an early draft pick!

Even Rocca and Grant didn't leave us with nothing and take a years money as well! Thought I'd never praise those two clowns.

[goswannie14]

Would have thought he would have a indication his body isn't up to another season before now.

I got bagged out for making that comment.

[SimonH]

There really is little value of recruiting Irish players. There is always the risk they will go home and when they do the Club gets zero for all the time and effort the have put into them.

The horrible thing about recruiting players and putting lots of time and effort into them, is that the risks are too great that they won't stay around and succeed at the club for whatever reason. Then we get zero back for all of those resources... that's right, zero. Where is the 'let's sue little Willo for the wasted development costs we put into him' bandwagon?

Although Kennelly contributed 150 games, he denied an Aussie kid who could have had that plus more and a place in the Club.

One of the funniest things I've read on RWO for a while.

The really sad thing about Paul Kelly's time with the Swans, is that he denied a Sydney kid who could have played 234 games plus more, a place in the club. That Wagga-centric recruitment approach of the late '80s has been thoroughly discredited now.

Even bearing in mind that Tadhg has failed to honour the final year of his contract at the 11th hour, a terrifying number of the posts on this thread have been juvenile, graceless and obsessive. Give yourself 24 hours. If at the end of that time, you haven't moved through a few of the stages of grieving, and aren't prepared to acknowledge Tadhg's amazing contribution to the club and the sport, then you really are wasting your time following Aussie rules football.

[The Big Cat]

Even bearing in mind that Tadhg has failed to honour the final year of his contract at the 11th hour, a terrifying number of the posts on this thread have been juvenile, graceless and obsessive. Give yourself 24 hours. If at the end of that time, you haven't moved through a few of the stages of grieving, and aren't prepared to acknowledge Tadhg's amazing contribution to the club and the sport, then you really are wasting your time following Aussie rules football.

The most sensible thing I have read on here - ever. And to "juvenile", "graceless" and "obsessive" I'd add ignorant, uninformed and unappreciative. I've followed the bloods probably longer than 99% of those posting here and you learn to appreciate the services players give, no matter where they end up. Tadgh gave us ten magnificent years of dedication in learning the game from scratch and being a major part in delivering us a flag. Pity some of the clowns posting on here don't show the same loyalty and dedication to positively supporting the club.

[Swans500]

Good riddance....

Have been warning of this for 2 years....never really believed his crap.
The timing is appalling, broke his contract and should not be paid.
If he had done this before the draft etc...I would have said...."great service, here's next years pay and good luck."

**** him!!!!

[BSA5]

Have been warning of this for 2 years....never really believed his crap.
The timing is appalling, broke his contract and should not be paid.
If he had done this before the draft etc...I would have said...."great service, here's next years pay and good luck."

**** him!!!!

Of course he won't be paid. That goes without saying.

[573v30]

Have been warning of this for 2 years....never really believed his crap.
The timing is appalling, broke his contract and should not be paid.
If he had done this before the draft etc...I would have said...."great service, here's next years pay and good luck."

**** him!!!!

Yeah, nah.

[shaun..]

Sad to see you go Tadgh but kudos on a great career!

Btw, whats with Roosy's black eye?

[ugg]

Sad to see you go Tadgh but kudos on a great career!

Btw, whats with Roosy's black eye?

He had to wrestle the third Irishman to the ground to prevent him leaving too!

Foxsports said it was from a basketball game

[bodgie]

It was a thrill to watch him over the years. Fantastic. A breathe of fresh air. Watching him have his shoulder popped back in on the field you could never question his commitment. It is right for him to go but maybe he should've gone a year ago!

Having said that the club seems to have really f.... up on the transition after the premiership. Poor player management of champions. Fosdike, O'Keefe, Davis, Kennelly. Leo? Hall? MOL? Shaky ruck arrangement. I guess I was an advocate of the early renovation option.

[connolly]

Even bearing in mind that Tadhg has failed to honour the final year of his contract at the 11th hour, a terrifying number of the posts on this thread have been juvenile, graceless and obsessive. Give yourself 24 hours. If at the end of that time, you haven't moved through a few of the stages of grieving, and aren't prepared to acknowledge Tadhg's amazing contribution to the club and the sport, then you really are wasting your time following Aussie rules football.

Did nothing about Coney and now pay the consequences. Ill give myself 24 years and Kennelly is still a user. His contribution was not "really. really amazing" He was a talented athlete, good player and ordinary human being. Do you want a tissue before you take his poster down from your bedroom wall tiger?

[WASwansFanatic]

Devastated........but good on him for at least doing what he ultimately wanted to do.

Great player and from what you can tell a great bloke.

Will never forget that Irish jig on the stage in 05.

Good bye and good luck!