Tommy Kelly

Who is Tommy Kelly?

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.