Crossword Genius

On the phone to sweetheart in Kerry with writer's block?

Ross

I believe the answer is:

keypad

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'on the phone' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot tell whether this works.

'sweetheart in kerry with writer's block?' is the wordplay.
'sweetheart in kerry' becomes 'key' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'writer's block?' becomes 'pad' (I've seen this before).
'key'+'pad'='KEYPAD'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for keypad that I've seen before include "Mobile phone provides this" , "Device for data entry" , "What might help you calculate" , "Feature used to operate a portable electronic device" , "In control, buttoned up" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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