It’s a big weekend for the AFL’s Irish recruits with three players lining out for their clubs in the senior competition.

The Sydney Swans Tadhg Kennelly

It will be an emotional night for Tadhg Kennelly and the Sydney Swans at the SCG as the Harbour City club’s coach Paul Roos and co-captain Brett Kirk make their last appearance at the team’s home ground.

Kennelly has made no secret of his close relationship with Roos, who has been at the helm since the 2002 season when he took over as caretaker coach for the sacked Rodney Eade. Ironically the Swans take on Eade’s current club the Western Bulldogs.

The Swans desperately need a win to cement their spot in the top eight.

Meanwhile Down man Jamie O’Reilly has retained his place in the senior Richmond side for the Tiger’s Saturday clash with St Kilda. O’Reilly made his debut last weekend in the club’s 89-point loss to Carlton.

Mayo’s Pearce Hanley will play his seventh consecutive senior game as the Brisbane Lions take on Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. However he won’t face his compatriot Michael Quinn. Despite being named on an extended interchange bench for the Bombers, he was listed as an emergency player when the final team was released on Friday evening.

At Carlton Setanta O’hAilpin’s remains out of favour. He’s been named on the emergency list for the Blues match against Geelong on Friday night. It’s the sixth week running that the former hurler has been left out of the first 22.