Pat O'Kelly
Encyclopedia
Pat O’Kelly is a former Irish soccer
defender
who was a two-time first team All-American
at Seton Hall University
. He played two seasons in the American Professional Soccer League
and at least four in the USISL.
O’Kelly played for Home Farm F.C.
as a youth player. He then represented Ireland at the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship
. In 1986, he moved to attend Seton Hall University
where he played on the men’s soccer team until 1989. He sits fourth on the team’s career goals list with 42. He was a 1988 and 1989 first team All-American
. In 1990, he signed with the Penn-Jersey Spirit
of the American Professional Soccer League
(APSL). On March 10, 1994, he signed with the expansion North Jersey Imperials
of USISL. In January 1996, O’Kelly attended trials with Major League Soccer
. This led to his selection by the MetroStars
in the 10th round (99th overall) in the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft
, but he chose not to sign with the team. Instead, he signed with the Central Jersey Riptide
of the USISL on April 25, 1996 He was selected to the 1996 USISL All Pro League Team, having scored thirteen goals. He continued with the Riptide through at least the 1997 season.
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...
defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who was a two-time first team All-American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
at Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
. He played two seasons in the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
and at least four in the USISL.
O’Kelly played for Home Farm F.C.
Home Farm F.C.
Home Farm Football Club is an Irish football club based in Whitehall, Dublin. Originally founded in 1928, the club joined the League of Ireland in 1972 after merging with Drumcondra. Following this merger they were briefly known as Home Farm Drumcondra...
as a youth player. He then represented Ireland at the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship
1985 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship, the ninth edition of the FIFA World Youth Championship, was held in the Soviet Union from August 24 to September 7, 1985. The tournament took place in eight venues — Baku, Yerevan, Leningrad, Minsk, Moscow, Hoktemberyan, Tbilissi and Sumqayit — where a total...
. In 1986, he moved to attend Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
where he played on the men’s soccer team until 1989. He sits fourth on the team’s career goals list with 42. He was a 1988 and 1989 first team All-American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
. In 1990, he signed with the Penn-Jersey Spirit
Penn-Jersey Spirit
Penn-Jersey Spirit played in the American Professional Soccer League in 1990 and 1991. The team's home stadium was Lions Stadium in Ewing, New Jersey, on the campus of Trenton State College...
of the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
(APSL). On March 10, 1994, he signed with the expansion North Jersey Imperials
North Jersey Imperials
The North Jersey Imperials were a soccer club based in Paramus, New Jersey. They played in the United Soccer Leagues between 1994 and 2001. The Imperials were the first pro team of US national team goalkeeper Tim Howard....
of USISL. In January 1996, O’Kelly attended trials with Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. This led to his selection by the MetroStars
Metrostars
Metrostar may refer to:*New York Red Bulls, formerly called the "MetroStars", a soccer team from New York*Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly called "The Metrostar Express", a part of the metropolitan rail system in Manila...
in the 10th round (99th overall) in the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft
1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft
The MLS Inaugural Player Draft, held before Major League Soccer's initial 1996 season, distributed players who had already graduated from college to the league's ten inaugural teams. The draft occurred on February 6 and 7, 1996...
, but he chose not to sign with the team. Instead, he signed with the Central Jersey Riptide
Central Jersey Riptide
Central Jersey Riptide were an American soccer team that played in Clark, New Jersey.They joined the USISL Pro League in 1996, but were relegated to the USL PDL in 1999. They became a provisional team the next season and then folded after the end of the season.-Year-by-year:...
of the USISL on April 25, 1996 He was selected to the 1996 USISL All Pro League Team, having scored thirteen goals. He continued with the Riptide through at least the 1997 season.