Moran's return welcomed

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor and his Kerins O'Rahilly's counterpart Mark Fitzgerald have expressed their relief at the news that David Moran won't be signing for St Kilda.

Fitzgerald said the 21-year-old's availability for Sunday's Munster club football final against Kilmurry-Ibrickane was: "fantastic news and a great boost coming up to the game. David has been an integral part of the team for a number of seasons and we welcome him back with open arms."

He added: "I am no expert on Aussie Rules but from watching it, I would imagine he has all the skills to make it. He is good athlete with a great attitude and the stuff that appeared it the papers last week quoting the Ricky Nixon guy was absolutely rubbish regarding David.

"I am disappointed that David did not make it but I am sure David will have a fantastic inter-county career for the next decade or so - Australia's loss is Kerry's and Kerins O'Rahillys' gain."

O'Connor is also delighted to have Moran back in his plans for 2010.

"The likes of David are the future of Kerry football. He was showing tremendous form early last season in the league and while his form dipped a bit in the middle of the year, he was coming strong again at the end of the season," the Kingdom boss said.

"I think potential is the key word - he certainly has the raw material, he is a good fielder, he is athletic and he can use both feet. While David is still not the finished product, you would think that with a run on the team next year that he will come on in leaps and bounds. Far from seeing the past few weeks as a disappointment, David should see it as a great experience and use that experience to drive him on next year."