Tommy Kelly (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Tommy Kelly was an Irish
soccer player during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
A dynamic midfielder, he is quite simply a Bohemian F.C.
legend, his career at Dalymount Park
spanning 3 different decades. He appeared in a club record 19 games in European competition and won 2 League of Ireland
titles.
He joined Bohs in 1965/66 and played as a full back in the "B" team. He made his debut for the first team as a substitute in a 4-1 win over Drogheda on April 10, 1966. He began next season as left back until Bobby Wade
returned from injury, whereby Kelly moved into the centre of midfield. It is here where he would remain for the majority of his career. He won the first of his 3 amateur international caps against Wales in October 1966. Bohs finished the 66/67 season as league runners-up and because of their strictly amateur status, they began to lose some of their key players to their professional rivals.
Kelly was among the defectors as he moved to Shamrock Rovers. However, he didn't stay long at Glenmalure Park
, as he joined Seán Thomas
in America midway through the 1967/68 season. He made one appearance in European competition in his time at Milltown
.
Tommy signed for St Patricks Athletic 2 months into the 1968/69 season.
Tommy would soon return to his spiritual home of Dalymount Park
, signing again for the "Gypsies" in time for the 1969/70 season. Tommy won the man of the match as Bohs beat Sligo to win the 1970 FAI Cup
Final. That cup victory meant that Bohs entered European competition for the first time and Kelly would go on to appear in 19 out of Bohs' first 20 games in Europe. More success followed and he was ever-present in Bohs' League
winning campaign of 1974/75. He added another FAI Cup
winners medal in 1976 and a 2nd league title was won in 1977/78. Kelly was still going strong as Bohs narrowly missed out on winning the title the following season. With his 39th birthday looming, Tommy hung his boots at the end of the 1981/82 season - his last match was the FAI Cup
Final defeat by Limerick.
Tommy Kelly made 575 competitive appearances for Bohemian F.C.
, scoring 31 goals. He also won League of Ireland XI Representative honours.
His son Ian Kelly (footballer) also played for Rovers and Bohs.
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,...
soccer player during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
A dynamic midfielder, he is quite simply a Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
legend, his career 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...
spanning 3 different decades. He appeared in a club record 19 games in European competition and won 2 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...
titles.
He joined Bohs in 1965/66 and played as a full back in the "B" team. He made his debut for the first team as a substitute in a 4-1 win over Drogheda on April 10, 1966. He began next season as left back until Bobby Wade
Bobby Wade (footballer)
Bobby Wade was an Irish footballer who played in the League of Ireland during the 1960s.-Career:Wade was an outstanding full back who played for Stella Maris, Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians during the 1960s. He was captain of Bohs for the 1967/68 season. He made 110 league appearances for Bohs and...
returned from injury, whereby Kelly moved into the centre of midfield. It is here where he would remain for the majority of his career. He won the first of his 3 amateur international caps against Wales in October 1966. Bohs finished the 66/67 season as league runners-up and because of their strictly amateur status, they began to lose some of their key players to their professional rivals.
Kelly was among the defectors as he moved to Shamrock Rovers. However, he didn't stay long at Glenmalure Park
Glenmalure Park
Glenmalure Park, often simply known as "Milltown", was a football stadium on the Southside of Dublin city in Ireland. Located in the suburb of Milltown, it was home to Shamrock Rovers from 1926 to 1987, when it was sold to property developers by the club's directors...
, as he joined Seán Thomas
Seán Thomas
Seán Thomas was a former Irish football manager who died on 24 June 1999.-Club Management:One of the very first coaches to study for coaching badges Thomas had short spells as coach at Sligo Rovers and Home Farm F.C. before moving to Shamrock Rovers in 1961 for Rovers' tour in the International...
in America midway through the 1967/68 season. He made one appearance in European competition in his time at Milltown
Glenmalure Park
Glenmalure Park, often simply known as "Milltown", was a football stadium on the Southside of Dublin city in Ireland. Located in the suburb of Milltown, it was home to Shamrock Rovers from 1926 to 1987, when it was sold to property developers by the club's directors...
.
Tommy signed for St Patricks Athletic 2 months into the 1968/69 season.
Tommy would soon return to his spiritual home of 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...
, signing again for the "Gypsies" in time for the 1969/70 season. Tommy won the man of the match as Bohs beat Sligo to win the 1970 FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The 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...
Final. That cup victory meant that Bohs entered European competition for the first time and Kelly would go on to appear in 19 out of Bohs' first 20 games in Europe. More success followed and he was ever-present in Bohs' League
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...
winning campaign of 1974/75. He added another FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The 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...
winners medal in 1976 and a 2nd league title was won in 1977/78. Kelly was still going strong as Bohs narrowly missed out on winning the title the following season. With his 39th birthday looming, Tommy hung his boots at the end of the 1981/82 season - his last match was the FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The 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...
Final defeat by Limerick.
Tommy Kelly made 575 competitive appearances for Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
, scoring 31 goals. He also won League of Ireland XI Representative honours.
His son Ian Kelly (footballer) also played for Rovers and Bohs.
Honours
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe 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...
: 2- Bohemians - 1974/75, 1977/78
- 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...
: 2- Bohemians - 1970, 1976
- League of Ireland Cup: 2
- Bohemians - 1975, 1979
- 3 Irish Amateur International Caps
- League of Ireland Representative Team
Trivia
- Tommy hold the record for most appearance for Bohs with 575 competitive appearances
- Tommy was the first man to appear as a substitute in a league game for Bohs when he replaced Turlough O'ConnorTurlough O'Connor (footballer)Turlough O'Connor was an Irish soccer player during the 1960s and 1970s. He is a member of the Bohemians' Hall of Fame.His two brothers Padraig O'Connor and Michael O'Connor also played for Athlone Town.-Playing career:...
against Drogheda on April 10, 1966