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Irish Senior International

Alan Kelly Snr
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During a 17 year international career Alan Kelly played 47 times for his country winning his first cap as a 20 year old in the 3-0 victory against West Germany at Dalymount Park on November 25, 1956 while then playing for Dublin club, Drumcondra. An agile goalkeeper, Kelly always did the simple things well and was quick and decisive when deciding to leave the safety of his line.

After collecting an FAI Cup winners medal when Drumcondra defeated Shamrock Rovers 2-0 in the 1957 final, a year later he joined English First Division side Preston North End. After that clean sheet against the Germans, Kelly kept his place for the next fixture, a World Cup qualifying game against England at Wembley.

Alas it was to be a rare off day with England winning 5-1 and Manchester United striker Tommy Taylor, to tragically die shortly afterwards in the Munich air disaster, scoring a first half hat-trick and Bristol City's John Atyeo also on target twice. Ireland's only reply was to come from a header by Atyeo's Bristol City team mate Dermot Curtis with a 56th minute header.

A five year absence from international football followed as the selectors chose to overlook Kelly in favour of Tommy Godwin (Bournemouth), Jimmy O'Neill (Everton) and Noel Dwyer (West Ham Utd.). It was not until Preston were relegated from the First Division in 1961 and Jimmy Milne appointed as manager that Kelly was able to establish himself as first choice in the Deepdale side's line-up.

Winning his third cap in the 3-2 defeat by Austria at Dalymount Park in April 1962, Kelly then kept his place for the next nine games during which time he helped Ireland to the European Championship quarter-finals after a 3-2 aggregate victory over Austria.

Idolised by the Preston fans and reckoned to be right up there with Deepdale's most famous son Tom Finney, Kelly was again on the losing side at Wembley when West Ham beat Preston 3-2 in the 1964 FA Cup final. Omitted from the Irish squad in the qualifiers for the 1966 World Cup finals in England, when Pat Dunne (Manchester United) and Noel Dwyer - then with Swansea were preferred, Kelly won back his place in the Irish time in the latter part of the 1960's.

Then in October 1972 he became the first keeper to captain Ireland in the 2-1 defeat by the Soviet Union in a World Cup game at Lansdowne Road. It was an Indian summer to a great career until a shoulder injury ended his playing days. Later he was to manage Ireland on one occasion - a 2-0 victory over Switzerland at Lansdowne Road on April 30, 1980. Kelly then managed Preston and took up coaching appointments on both sides of the Atlantic. In the 1990's Kelly achievements as a class keeper were recognised when he was inaugurated into the FAI Hall of Fame.

Alan died 20 May 2009 after a short illness




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Alan Kelly Snr's playing record
Season Openin. Subst. Goals Yellows Reds
1956 1 0 0 0 0
1957 1 0 0 0 0
1958 0 0 0 0 0
1959 0 0 0 0 0
1960 0 0 0 0 0
1961 0 0 0 0 0
1962 3 0 0 0 0
1963 3 0 0 0 0
1964 3 0 0 0 0
1965 1 0 0 0 0
1966 4 0 0 0 0
1967 3 0 0 0 0
1968 4 0 0 0 0
1969 6 0 0 0 0
1970 6 0 0 0 0
1971 2 0 0 0 0
1972 6 0 0 0 0
1973 4 0 0 0 0
Total 47 0 0 0 0
By season | In opening squad | Substituted in | Goals | Yellow cards | Red cards



Alan Kelly Snr's full debut
25.11.1956 at 00:00 Friendly / Prog H Germany 3 - 0


Last 10 games where Alan Kelly Snr started | Show All
06.06.1973 at 00:00 Friendly A Norway 1 - 1
19.05.1973 at 00:00 World Cup Qualifier A France 1 - 1
16.05.1973 at 00:00 Friendly A Poland 0 - 2
13.05.1973 at 00:00 World Cup Qualifier / PROG A Soviet Union 0 - 1
15.11.1972 at 00:00 World Cup Qualifier / Prog H France 2 - 1
18.10.1972 at 16:30 World Cup Qualifier / Prog H Soviet Union 1 - 2
25.06.1972 at 00:00 Tournament N Portugal 1 - 2
21.06.1972 at 00:00 Tournament N Chile 1 - 2
18.06.1972 at 00:00 Tournament N Ecuador 3 - 2
11.06.1972 at 00:00 Tournament N Iran 2 - 1


Games in which Alan Kelly Snr was a Substitute.
None
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