THE SYDNEY Swans have received a huge boost with the news Tadhg Kennelly will return from Ireland to play with the club next year.

Kennelly, 28, quit AFL football on the eve of the 2009 season to play Gaelic football with his native County Kerry.

But after living out a boyhood dream in September by claiming the All-Ireland title, the dashing half-back has agreed to a two-year deal with the Swans.

When news he was interested in a comeback filtered out, it wasn't just the Swans who were keen.

Grand finalist St Kilda had tried to lure the premiership player to Moorabbin but Swans coach Paul Roos said he was very pleased to learn Kennelly was committed to his former club.

"Obviously Tadhg made a big decision to come out here in the first place and a big decision to go back. This is another one he had to make and we finalised that [on Thursday] night," he said.

"It's terrific for the club that he's come back and we look forward to seeing him next week."

While desire for an All-Ireland medal was Kennelly's prime motivation for returning to his home country, his struggles with a shoulder injury in 2008 had also played a role.

But Roos was in no doubt that the defender would regain full fitness after a gruelling pre-season with the Swans.

"When I saw him in Ireland, I was pleasantly surprised. He looked really healthy and when I watched him play, he didn't have any tape on," he said.

"He said himself that he was feeling a million dollars and he was running really well. I think the year off playing Gaelic football, which is pretty much a non-contact game, has certainly done him the world of good.

"Obviously he feels now that his body has recovered and he feels like he can contribute to the club again."

Roos said he had been aware of St Kilda's approach to Kennelly but it hadn't concerned him in the slightest.

"Rossy Lyon rang me after he'd spoken to Michael Quinlan (Kennelly's manager) and I knew that was [happening] through trade week. That's just being a smart football coach. Tadhg's a quality player," he said.

"Rossy rang me and explained what he'd done and I said, 'Mate, that's fine'. I explained to Rossy - and he knew - that if [Tadhg] was ever going to come back, he was going to come back to Sydney."

Roos said Kennelly's gregarious nature and wealth of experience ensured he would play a leadership role of some sort, but the Irishman's priority would be regaining fitness and form in time for the round one clash against St Kilda.

With Kennelly's re-signing and the likely addition of former Brisbane Lions forward Daniel Bradshaw in the NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft, Roos holds high hopes for 2010.

"Now there's some real competition for spots again, which is always very healthy," he said.

"It has worked out really, really well but the hard work is now in front of us because we've got to get fit. We've got a big gap to fill between where we finished and where we want to be.

"It might take more than 12 months but we'll work as hard as we possibly can."