Knee surgery for Kennelly

Catherine Murphy

SYDNEY SWANS' star Tadhg Kennelly has undergone knee surgery to repair the medial ligament in his right knee after he was forced to return to Sydney following a training mishap in Listowel.

A statement released by the Swans said Kennelly twisted his knee while training in Kerry.

The 2009 All-Ireland medallist also had cartilage cleaned out of his knee during the operation yesterday.

Mishap

"He was training with his brother's Gaelic football side when the mishap occurred," the statement said.

"Kennelly told Swans coach John Longmire that he simply felt his foot stick in the turf and then his knee twisted."

The Kerryman was flown straight back to Australia after the training ground incident for assessment and now faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

The 2005 Premiership medallist will not be able to run for eight to 10 weeks. However, he is expected to re-join pre-season team training in March.

"We're hopeful he will be fit for round one of the 2011 season in late March,'' said Sydney Swans physiotherapist Matt Cameron.

Kennelly had stayed in Ireland after the International Rules series to see family and was carrying out a tailored fitness programme from the Sydney Swans coaching staff during his time away from the club.

The injury is a big blow to the 29-year-old, who after years of having his career interrupted by injury, got through the 2010 season virtually unscathed.

Former Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos had credited his year away from the rigours of AFL playing with Kerry as the reason for his good run avoiding injury.