Coney not returning to Australia

bazarazu · 05-01-2009 6:42pm #1

Good news for the game.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7812416.stm

GAA talent Kyle Coney will be playing football in Ardboe and Tyrone colours this year after deciding not to return to Australia after Christmas.

Coney began a two-year rookie contract with AFL club the Sydney Swans in November but he has opted to remain in Ireland after his Christmas break.

"I'm staying in Ireland for the time being," Coney told BBC Sport.

"I was scheduled to go back on 2 January but the time came to make a decision and I decided not to go back."

Coney added:"I weighed up my options when I was in Australia. Now I want to keep my options open and I want to be playing football for Ardboe and Tyrone.

"It was a very, very big decision. It took a lot of thinking but in my opinion, I've made the right decision.

"About a week after I came home (for Christmas), I said to my family that this is where I want to be playing football."

Coney added that he had "enjoyed every minute" of his five-and-a-half weeks Down Under.

"They treated me really well but when I came home, I know this was the place I wanted to be.

"The plan is to be a part of Ardboe plans this year and hopefully some part of Tyrone's plans too.

"This was my decision. There was no pressure at all (from anybody)."

Coney helped Tyrone minors claim the All-Ireland title in September and Red Hand senior star Sean Cavanagh urged the youngster to stay in Ireland after the triumph.

In 2006, Down lost one of their outstanding young talents when Martin Clarke joined AFL side Collingwood while several other young GAA stars have also moved Down Under.

GAAman · 05-01-2009 6:55pm

Big boost for tyrone with him i reckon, and the young lads seem to be comin along in leaps and bounds. Means more competition for us i reckon

helpisontheway · 07-01-2009 2:05pm

Tadgh Kennelly returning to Kerry in the next few weeks from Sydney Swans! He is already being touted as Daras replacement at midfield if he retires or partner if not.A Kerry hurler:D called Ronan O Connor played full back in a friendly over the weekend and was supposedly very impressive and a definite vaible option at full back.Poor Kerry hurlers will have nobody left!:D

conf101 · 07-01-2009 4:12pm

^^^ Is that definitely true?

helpisontheway · 07-01-2009 4:24pm

Well i havent heard it from Tadgh Kennellys mouth but i dont think the Kerryman would print it if it wasnt true!

Yavvy · 07-01-2009 4:35pm

I heard a phone interview with TK on off the ball just before christms. He is returning to Ireland at the end of the current AFl season..when does that run to ?

helpisontheway · 07-01-2009 5:20pm

I heard that interview also but it is reported in the Kerryman that Tadgh had a fantastic christmas and new years in Kerry and and decided to talk to Sydney Swans about returning to Kerry to win an All Ireland.They came to an agreement and Tadgh will be returning home to Kerry in 2 weeks.

conf101 · 08-01-2009 2:09pm

It'll suck for him if Kerry don't manage to win the AI

Mr. Incognito · 08-01-2009 2:15pm

Tadgh won't be back this year.

Kerryman is spouting rumour is all.

http://www.examiner.ie/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=sport-qqqm=sport-qqqa=sport-qqqid=81472-qqqx=1.asp

Yavvy · 09-01-2009 7:43am

Yeah was about to say that every time TK comes home you get all these rumours. His family are footballing legends and the people of Kerry just dont feel right without a Kenelly in the set up.... what ever happened to Noel ?

Their Father Tim was one of Kerrys greatest footballers with out a shadow of doubt

Coney not returning to Australia

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