Jimmy Kelly (Irish footballer)
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Kelly was an Irish
footballer
who played for, among others, Derry City
, Shamrock Rovers
and Dundalk
. Kelly was one of the most prolific goalscorers ever to play in the (Northern) Irish League, scoring 218 goals in the league between 1928 and 1952. He also scored 12 goals during his time in the (Southern) League of Ireland
and scored a further 193 in other competitions. Kelly was noted for having a powerful left footed shot.
Kelly was a dual international
and played for both Ireland teams - the IFA XI
and the FAI XI. In 1932 he became the first (Northern) Irish League player to play for an FAI XI and in 1934 was a member of their first team to play in a World Cup qualifier
. In 1936 Kelly actually played for both the IFA XI and the FAI XI within the same week and finished on the winning team on both occasions.
and also turned out for Newry Town. He then began his senior career with Coleraine
before being signed by Liverpool
in May 1928. However he failed to make any senior appearances for the Reds and after over two years at the club, a disillusioned Kelly signed for Derry City for a fee of £100 in October 1930.
on 26 October 1930 against Linfield
at Windsor Park
. However it took him four matches to score his first goal for the club in a game against Glenavon
. This was the first of 363 goals he would score for City. Among these goals was one in a 2-1 defeat against Linfield in the 1936 Irish Cup
final. This was the clubs first major final. Kelly continued to play for City into the early 1950s, helping the club to their first Irish Cup success, a 3-1 victory over Glentoran
in 1949.
. While on loan at Rovers he played alongside Peter Farrell
, Tommy Eglington
and Paddy Coad
. He made his debut for Rovers on 22 February 1942, scoring the only goal in a league game
at St. James's Gate.
Kelly spent the 1946-47 season at Dundalk and finished as the clubs top scorer, scoring 6 in the league, 1 in the FAI Cup and 10 in other competitions. His goals helped the club finish as runners-up in the League of Ireland Shield
. In 1947 Kelly also played three times for the League of Ireland XI
.
- based IFA
and the Irish Free State
- based FAI
claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland and selected players from the whole island. As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including Kelly, played for both teams. In 1936 Kelly had the unique experience of playing for two winning Irish teams within a week. On 11 March he helped the IFA XI beat Wales
3-2. Then on 17 March he was on the winning side again as the FAI XI defeated Switzerland
1-0.
. He scored his first international goal on his debut on 17 October 1931 in a 6-2 defeat against England
at Windsor Park. The other IFA XI goal that day was scored by Jimmy Dunne
. In his next game on 12 December 1931 Kelly scored twice in a 4-0 win against Wales. These three goals saw Kelly finish as joint top scorer in the 1932 British Home Championship
. He scored his fourth goal for the IFA XI on 11 November 1935 in 2-1 defeat against Scotland
at Tynecastle
. He made his last appearance for the IFA XI on 18 November 1936 in a 3-1 defeat to England.
and as a result became the first (Northern) Irish League player to play for an FAI XI. He subsequently helped them to a credible 2-0 win, setting up the second goal for Paddy Moore
. Kelly made his second appearance for the FAI XI on 25 February 1934 at Dalymount Park
when they made their World Cup
debut in a qualifier against Belgium. Moore scored all four goals for the FAI XI as they came from 2-0, 3-1 and then 4-3 down to draw 4-4. Kelly turned provider for two of Moore’s goals, one from a cross and one from a corner. He won his third cap from the FAI on 17 March 1936 in a 1-0 win against Switzerland.
Kelly made his final two appearances and scored his only two goals for the FAI XI during a European tour in May 1936. On 6 May he played in a 4-1 defeat to a Rhineland XI and then on 9 May he scored twice in a 5-1 win against Luxembourg
. Jimmy Dunne also scored twice that day. Kelly would have won a further two caps for the FAI XI if it were not the IFA’s then ban on Sunday football. He was initially called up for the game against Spain
on 13 December 1931 and during the European tour of May 1936 he missed the opening game against Hungary
. Both games fell on a Sunday and as a result Kelly missed out.
. He made his debut for the Irish League XI in October 1931, scoring twice in a 3-2 win against a Scottish League XI
. He also scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over an English League XI in September 1935 and the following year he scored a hat-trick against the same opposition in a 3-2 win.
Dundalk
Jimmy was still playing football in the 1950s/60s for sea eagle rovers.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played for, among others, Derry City
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
, Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
and Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
. Kelly was one of the most prolific goalscorers ever to play in the (Northern) Irish League, scoring 218 goals in the league between 1928 and 1952. He also scored 12 goals during his time in the (Southern) League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
and scored a further 193 in other competitions. Kelly was noted for having a powerful left footed shot.
Kelly was a dual international
Dual Irish international footballers
Dual Irish international footballers are a group of Irish international footballers who, between 1908 and March 1950, played for the international teams selected by both the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Ireland...
and played for both Ireland teams - the IFA XI
Ireland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
and the FAI XI. In 1932 he became the first (Northern) Irish League player to play for an FAI XI and in 1934 was a member of their first team to play in a World Cup qualifier
1934 FIFA World Cup qualification
Estonia v Lithuania was not played, since neither team could qualify with a win.Sweden qualified.-Group 2:----Spain qualified.-Group 3:Italy qualified, as Greece withdrew after the first match.-Group 4:--------...
. In 1936 Kelly actually played for both the IFA XI and the FAI XI within the same week and finished on the winning team on both occasions.
Early years
As a youth Kelly played for several teams in the Derry and District LeagueDerry and District League
The Derry and District League is an amateur football league in Derry. The league includes youth and senior football teams. The Senior Sunday League has two divisions, the Premier and the First Division. The Youth Leagues have one league for each age group, from under-10 up to under-17. Teams such...
and also turned out for Newry Town. He then began his senior career with Coleraine
Coleraine F.C.
Coleraine F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1927, hails from Coleraine, County Londonderry and plays its home matches at the Showgrounds. Club colours are blue and white...
before being signed by Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
in May 1928. However he failed to make any senior appearances for the Reds and after over two years at the club, a disillusioned Kelly signed for Derry City for a fee of £100 in October 1930.
Derry City
Kelly made his debut for Derry CityDerry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
on 26 October 1930 against Linfield
Linfield F.C.
Linfield F.C. , is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, whose home ground is Windsor Park in Belfast, which is also the home of the Northern Ireland international team....
at Windsor Park
Windsor Park
Windsor Park is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland and the home ground of Linfield F.C. and the Northern Ireland national football team. It is also where the Irish Cup and Irish League Cup finals are played.-History:...
. However it took him four matches to score his first goal for the club in a game against Glenavon
Glenavon F.C.
Glenavon F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1889, hails from Lurgan and plays its home matches at Mourneview Park...
. This was the first of 363 goals he would score for City. Among these goals was one in a 2-1 defeat against Linfield in the 1936 Irish Cup
Irish Cup
For the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
final. This was the clubs first major final. Kelly continued to play for City into the early 1950s, helping the club to their first Irish Cup success, a 3-1 victory over Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
in 1949.
League of Ireland
Although Kelly spent most of his career with Derry City, during the mid-1940s he played a couple of seasons in the League of Ireland, first with Shamrock Rovers and then with DundalkDundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
. While on loan at Rovers he played alongside Peter Farrell
Peter Farrell
Peter Desmond Farrell was an Irish footballer who played as an a right-half for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. As an international, Farrell also played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI...
, Tommy Eglington
Tommy Eglington
Thomas Joseph Eglington was an Irish footballer who played as an outside-left for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. Eglington was also a dual internationalist and played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI.Eglington’s playing career followed a similar...
and Paddy Coad
Paddy Coad
Paddy Coad is a former Irish football player and manager. He played as a forward for Waterford United, Glenavon, Shamrock Rovers and Ireland. Although known, primarily, as a maker of goals, Coad scored 126 goals in the League of Ireland and a further 41 in the FAI Cup. In 1946-47 he was top...
. He made his debut for Rovers on 22 February 1942, scoring the only goal in a league game
at St. James's Gate.
Kelly spent the 1946-47 season at Dundalk and finished as the clubs top scorer, scoring 6 in the league, 1 in the FAI Cup and 10 in other competitions. His goals helped the club finish as runners-up in the League of Ireland Shield
League of Ireland Shield
The League of Ireland Shield is a defunct Irish football tournament which was introduced when the League of Ireland started in 1921 and ran uninterrupted until 1972...
. In 1947 Kelly also played three times for the League of Ireland XI
League of Ireland XI
The League of Ireland XI, known as of 2010 as the Airtricity League XI for sponsorship reasons, is the representative select team for the League of Ireland which operates in the Republic of Ireland.The select first played the Scottish League XI in 1938....
.
Irish international
When Kelly began his international career in 1931 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, the Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
- based IFA
Irish Football Association
The Irish Football Association is the organising body for association football in Northern Ireland, and was historically the governing body for Ireland...
and the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
- based FAI
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland and selected players from the whole island. As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including Kelly, played for both teams. In 1936 Kelly had the unique experience of playing for two winning Irish teams within a week. On 11 March he helped the IFA XI beat Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
3-2. Then on 17 March he was on the winning side again as the FAI XI defeated Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
1-0.
IFA XI
Between 1931 and 1936 Kelly made 11 appearances and scored 4 goals for the IFA XIIreland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
. He scored his first international goal on his debut on 17 October 1931 in a 6-2 defeat against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at Windsor Park. The other IFA XI goal that day was scored by Jimmy Dunne
Jimmy Dunne
James Dunne , commonly referred to as Jimmy Dunne, was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Sheffield United, Arsenal and Southampton...
. In his next game on 12 December 1931 Kelly scored twice in a 4-0 win against Wales. These three goals saw Kelly finish as joint top scorer in the 1932 British Home Championship
1932 British Home Championship
The 1932 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1931–32 football season. It was won by England, who succeeded in beating all three of their rivals during the course of the competition....
. He scored his fourth goal for the IFA XI on 11 November 1935 in 2-1 defeat against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
at Tynecastle
Tynecastle Stadium
Tynecastle Stadium is a football stadium situated in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hearts. Tynecastle has a seating capacity of 17,420, which makes it the seventh largest football stadium in Scotland...
. He made his last appearance for the IFA XI on 18 November 1936 in a 3-1 defeat to England.
FAI XI
Between 1932 and 1936 Kelly also played 5 times and scored 2 goals for the FAI XI. He made his debut on 5 May 1932 against the NetherlandsNetherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
and as a result became the first (Northern) Irish League player to play for an FAI XI. He subsequently helped them to a credible 2-0 win, setting up the second goal for Paddy Moore
Paddy Moore
Paddy Moore was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Shamrock Rovers and Aberdeen. Moore was a dual internationalist and played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI.In February 1934 Moore scored four goals for the FAI XI in a World Cup qualifier against Belgium...
. Kelly made his second appearance for the FAI XI on 25 February 1934 at Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
when they made their World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
debut in a qualifier against Belgium. Moore scored all four goals for the FAI XI as they came from 2-0, 3-1 and then 4-3 down to draw 4-4. Kelly turned provider for two of Moore’s goals, one from a cross and one from a corner. He won his third cap from the FAI on 17 March 1936 in a 1-0 win against Switzerland.
Kelly made his final two appearances and scored his only two goals for the FAI XI during a European tour in May 1936. On 6 May he played in a 4-1 defeat to a Rhineland XI and then on 9 May he scored twice in a 5-1 win against Luxembourg
Luxembourg national football team
The Luxembourg national football team is the national football team of Luxembourg, and is controlled by the Luxembourg Football Federation. The team play most of their home matches at the Stade Josy Barthel, in Luxembourg.- History :...
. Jimmy Dunne also scored twice that day. Kelly would have won a further two caps for the FAI XI if it were not the IFA’s then ban on Sunday football. He was initially called up for the game against Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
on 13 December 1931 and during the European tour of May 1936 he missed the opening game against Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
. Both games fell on a Sunday and as a result Kelly missed out.
Irish League XI
Between 1931 and 1948 Kelly played also played 16 games and scored 6 goals for the Irish League XIIrish League XI
The Irish League representative team was the representative side of the Irish Football League, the national league for football in Northern Ireland and, prior to that, Ireland.-Irish League representative match results:...
. He made his debut for the Irish League XI in October 1931, scoring twice in a 3-2 win against a Scottish League XI
Scottish League XI
The Scottish League XI is a representative side of the Scottish Football League. The team regularly played against the Football League and other national league select teams between 1892 and 1980. For a long period the annual fixture between the English and Scottish leagues was only second in...
. He also scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over an English League XI in September 1935 and the following year he scored a hat-trick against the same opposition in a 3-2 win.
Honours
Derry City- Irish CupIrish CupFor the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
- Winners 1949 1
- Runners Up 1936 1
Dundalk
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
- Runners Up 1946-47 1
Jimmy was still playing football in the 1950s/60s for sea eagle rovers.