Hugh Kelly

Football career

Northern Ireland Kelly was born in Lurgan and played Gaelic football with Clan na Gael while working in the family drapery firm. He also represented Armagh in Gaelic handball. He became established as the first choice goalkeeper for Glenavon from early in 1937, and soon became recognised as one of the best goalkeepers in Northern Ireland, being selected to represent the Irish League XI against a Scottish Football League XI in September 1938. By this time, Belfast Celtic were embroiled in financial problems and about to quit the Irish League and were eventually disbanded. To raise funds, Kelly and three of his team-mates (including Johnny Campbell) had been sold to Fulham for a combined fee of £25,000 before the tour to America. Hugh Kelly conceded nine goals against the English, of which four were scored by Jack Rowley and two each by Jack Froggatt and Stan Mortensen. Despite the margin of defeat, Kelly was awarded his second cap, against Wales on 8 March 1950, this time keeping a clean sheet in a goalless draw.

In August 1950, he dropped down to the Second Division, when he joined Southampton in a straight swap for Scottish international 'keeper, Ian Black.

By the end of the season, Kelly had fallen out of favour with the Southampton manager, Sid Cann, following disciplinary problems after a match at Leicester in April 1951. After the match, the team stayed in the Midlands to play a friendly match at Boston. Kelly returned to the team hotel with Ken Chisholm of Coventry City and two young ladies. When the Southampton trainer, Jimmy Easson, tried to get the ladies to leave, he and Kelly had an argument which culminated in Kelly giving the trainer a black eye. As a result, Kelly was immediately placed on the transfer-list, with John Christie taking over from him in goal for the last two matches of the season. spending the whole of 1951–52 on the sidelines, with some time back in Ireland.

Eventually, he was "rescued" by Exeter City, whom he joined in June 1952, spending four years in Devon before winding up his career at Weymouth.

International appearances Kelly made four appearances for Ireland in international matches as follows: !! Goals!! Competition

Honours Glenavon Irish Cup finalist: 1940

Belfast Celtic Irish Cup winners: 1943, 1944 Irish League champions: 1947–48