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Georgie Kelly
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George Martin Kelly (born 12 November 1996) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for National League club Carlisle United.
Key Information
Career
[edit]UCD
[edit]Kelly joined UCD after a brief stint with Derry City. In 2017, Kelly scored a hat-trick against, Athlone Town, securing the top scorer title for the season.Kelly played a crucial role, as UCD returned to the top flight of Irish football. Scoring 15 times in just 17, before departing for dundalk mid season. [3]
Dundalk
[edit]After two and a half seasons in the First Division, Kelly signed with Premier Division club, Dundalk.[4] He played his first European match against Estonian side, FCI Levadia Tallinn in the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds. He ended the 2018 season with the rare double of First Division (for UCD) and Premier Division (for Dundalk) winner's medals, and also won the FAI Cup.
During the 2019 season, Kelly and Dundalk narrowly missed out on the treble, following a penalty shootout in the 2019 FAI Cup Final against Shamrock Rovers.[5]
Loan to St Patrick's Athletic
[edit]Kelly was loaned to St Patrick's Athletic for the remainder of the 2020 season on 28 July 2020.[6] On 7 August 2020, he scored his first goals for the club, netting a brace as his side beat Finn Harps 2–0 at Richmond Park.[7] His only other goal for the club came in a 3–2 loss away to Finn Harps on 29 October 2020.[8]
Bohemians
[edit]On 22 December 2020, Kelly signed for Bohemians for the 2021 season.[9] Kelly scored his first Premier Division hat-trick in a 5–1 victory against Dundalk.[10] Following a successful first season at the club, Kelly was the league's top scorer with 21 goals including a late equaliser against Sligo Rovers in the final game of the season. He was later named in the team of the year.[11] He helped the club reach the 2021 FAI Cup Final where they eventually lost to his former club, St Patrick's Athletic.[12]
Rotherham United
[edit]In January 2022 he signed for EFL League One club Rotherham United.[13] On 30 April 2022, Kelly scored the second goal in a 2–0 win for Rotherham over Gillingham which secured promotion to the Championship, having come on as a substitute 10 minutes beforehand to make his first team debut.[14] He went on to score a total of 6 goals for the club in 51 appearances.
Carlisle United
[edit]On 1 February 2024, Kelly signed for EFL League One club Carlisle United for an undisclosed fee, on a three-and-a-half-year deal.[15] He failed to score in 7 appearances by the end of his first half-season with the club as they were relegated to EFL League Two.[16]
Career statistics
[edit]| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Derry City | 2015 | LOI Premier Division | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | |
| UCD | 2016 | LOI First Division | 25 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 3[a] | 1 | 30 | 7 | |
| 2017 | LOI First Division | 26 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[a] | 0 | 30 | 17 | ||
| 2018 | LOI First Division | 17 | 14 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 18 | 14 | |||
| Total | 68 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 5 | 1 | 78 | 38 | |||
| Dundalk | 2018 | LOI Premier Division | 7 | 0 | 3 | 2 | — | 1[b] | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 12 | 2 | |
| 2019[18] | LOI Premier Division | 27 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3[c] | 0 | 4[d] | 2 | 43 | 14 | |
| 2020 | LOI Premier Division | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 36 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 57 | 16 | ||
| St Patrick's Athletic (loan) | 2020 | LOI Premier Division | 12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 13 | 3 | |||
| Bohemians | 2021 | LOI Premier Division | 31 | 21 | 3 | 1 | — | 6[e] | 4 | — | 40 | 26 | ||
| Rotherham United | 2021–22 | League One | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 2022–23 | Championship | 29 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 4 | |||
| 2023–24 | Championship | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 19 | 1 | |||
| Total | 48 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 51 | 6 | |||
| Carlisle United | 2023–24 | League One | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||||
| 2024–25 | League Two | 18 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 18 | 5 | ||
| 2025–26 | National League | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 15 | 4 | ||
| Total | 40 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 40 | 9 | |||
| Career total | 238 | 84 | 14 | 5 | 11 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 283 | 98 | ||
- ^ a b c Appearances in Leinster Senior Cup
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League; one appearance in UEFA Europa League
- ^ One appearance in President of Ireland's Cup; one appearance in Leinster Senior Cup; two appearances, two goals in Champions Cup
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
Honours
[edit]Dundalk
- League of Ireland Premier Division: 2018, 2019
- FAI Cup: 2018
- League of Ireland Cup: 2019
- Champions Cup: 2019
Rotherham United
Individual
References
[edit]- ^ "Club List of Registered Players as at 21st May 2022" (PDF). English Football League. p. 64. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ a b "G. Kelly". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Georgie Kelly Enters UCD History Books with Season Ending Hat-Trick". donegaldaily.com. 10 October 2017.
- ^ "Striker Georgie Kelly Signs For Dundalk and Sets Out Tropy Aim". donegaldaily.com. 2 July 2018.
- ^ "Shamrock Rovers deny Dundalk treble dream in penalty shootout". irishtimes.com.
- ^ "St Pat's bring in Georgie Kelly on loan to boost attacking options". the42.ie. 28 July 2020.
- ^ "League Report: St Patrick's Athletic 2-0 Finn Harps". ExtraTime.com.
- ^ "League Report: Finn Harps 3 - 2 St Patrick's Athletic". ExtraTime.com.
- ^ "Bohemians confirm signing of ex-Dundalk striker Georgie Kelly". Irish Independent. 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Bohs run riot as Georgie Kelly nets hat-trick against Dundalk". irishtimes.com.
- ^ "Georgie Kelly and Ronan Boyce Named In PFAI Team Of The Year". donegaldaily.com. 26 November 2021.
- ^ "St Patrick's Athletic v Bohemians recap as Saints win the FAI Cup final on penalties". irishmirror.ie. 28 November 2021.
- ^ "Rotherham sign ex-Bohs striker Kelly". BBC Sport. 28 January 2022.
- ^ "Gillingham 0-2 Rotherham United: Millers seal promotion with win that relegates Gills". BBC Sport. 30 April 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Carlisle sign Rotherham striker Kelly". BBC Sport. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ "Carlisle United face relegation after 2-0 defeat to Northampton Town". itv.com.
- ^ "Georgie Kelly | Stats | History | Career Details | Images". ExtraTime.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Georgie Kelly | 2019 Stats | History | Career Details | Images". ExtraTime.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
Georgie Kelly
View on GrokipediaEarly life and youth career
Early life
George Martin Kelly was born on 12 November 1996 in Buncrana, County Donegal, Ireland.[5][6] He grew up in the rural community of Tooban on the Inishowen peninsula, immersed in a farming environment where Gaelic football dominated local sports.[1] Kelly attended Scoil Mhuire in Buncrana, where he first showcased his athletic talent in school football, scoring a brace in the 2013 semi-final of the Umbro FAI Schools Dr Tony O’Neill All Ireland competition and helping his team reach the final that year.[6] His selection for the Ulster provincial side and the FAI Schools international team in 2013/14 highlighted his early promise in soccer.[6] Alongside soccer, Kelly pursued Gaelic football, representing Donegal from under-14 to minor levels under manager Declan Bonner.[1] At age 17, he opted to prioritize soccer by withdrawing from the Donegal minor panel ahead of the 2014 All-Ireland final.[1] His parents, who reside in northern Donegal, supported his sporting endeavors, including attending his later professional matches.[1]Youth career
Georgie Kelly began his youth football career in his native Donegal, starting with local club Inishowen Academy before progressing to Aileach FC, where he developed as a promising striker.[7][8] Kelly joined the Derry City youth system, representing the club's U19 squad in the League of Ireland youth leagues.[9][10] During the 2015 season, he was a key contributor for Derry City U19, helping the team finish as runners-up in the Northern Division table and reach the Enda McGuill Cup Final.[7] His performances that year earned him a place in the League of Ireland Under-19 Team of the Year.[7] In addition to his club success, Kelly represented the Republic of Ireland at U19 level and attracted interest from professional clubs abroad, including a trial with Bristol City earlier in 2015.[7] These achievements marked the end of his youth phase, as he transitioned to senior appearances with Derry City later that year.[9][2]Club career
Derry City
Georgie Kelly began his senior professional career with Derry City, his hometown club in the League of Ireland Premier Division, signing a professional contract in January 2015 after progressing through the club's youth academy.[11] As an 18-year-old forward, he primarily featured for the under-19 and reserve teams during the early part of the season, contributing to youth development matches such as the reserves' run to the Knockalla Cup final in May 2015.[9][12] Kelly made his senior debut on 13 March 2015, entering as a late substitute in the 88th minute during a 0–1 home defeat to Dundalk at the Brandywell Stadium; he received a yellow card in the brief appearance, playing just three minutes.[13][14] His subsequent outings came in June, first as a 14-minute substitute in a 0–3 home loss to St Patrick's Athletic on 5 June, followed by a seven-minute cameo in a 1–1 away draw against Drogheda United on 12 June.[13] Across these three league appearances, totaling 24 minutes, Kelly did not score or provide assists, reflecting his limited role as a fringe squad member behind established forwards during Derry City's seventh-place finish in the 2015 Premier Division.[13] Kelly departed Derry City in November 2015, transferring to University College Dublin (UCD) in the First Division to seek more playing opportunities and further his development as a striker.[15] His brief stint at Derry provided initial exposure to senior football but highlighted the challenges of breaking into a competitive first-team environment.[9]University College Dublin
Georgie Kelly joined University College Dublin AFC on a free transfer from the Derry City under-20 team in December 2015. He made his debut for the club in the 2016 League of Ireland First Division season, where he scored six league goals in limited starts, primarily coming off the bench as a 19-year-old forward. UCD finished third that year, four points behind champions Limerick. In 2017, Kelly emerged as a key attacker, starting regularly and becoming the First Division's top scorer with 17 league goals in 26 appearances. His prolific form, including notable strikes such as a bicycle kick against Wexford, helped UCD secure second place and playoff qualification, though they lost to Waterford in the promotion decider. By mid-2017, with 14 goals already, Kelly was recognized as the division's leading marksman and balanced his playing commitments with studies in commerce at the university. Kelly continued his scoring touch into 2018, netting 14 league goals in the first half of the season and leading the First Division charts at the time of his departure. Highlights included a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Finn Harps in April, which propelled UCD to the top of the table. His goals contributed to UCD's strong start, as the team went unbeaten in their first 11 league matches and ultimately clinched the First Division title to earn promotion to the Premier Division—their third such success in the club's history. Kelly departed UCD in July 2018, signing for Premier Division champions Dundalk midway through the campaign. Across all competitions from 2016 to 2018, he made approximately 72 appearances and scored 37 goals for the club.Dundalk
Georgie Kelly joined Dundalk from University College Dublin on 2 July 2018, signing a three-year contract until the end of the 2020 season.[16] At the time of his transfer, he was the leading scorer in the League of Ireland First Division with 14 goals in 16 appearances for UCD.[17] Over the course of his tenure at Oriel Park, Kelly made 53 appearances and scored 14 goals across all competitions, primarily featuring as a forward in the Premier Division.[18] His contributions helped Dundalk secure the League of Ireland Premier Division title in both 2018 and 2019; the club clinched the 2018 championship with a 1–1 draw against St Patrick's Athletic on 5 October, finishing with 87 points, while in 2019, they won the title on 23 September following a 3–2 victory over Shamrock Rovers.[19] Additionally, Dundalk achieved a domestic double in 2018 by winning the FAI Cup, defeating Cork City 2–1 in the final on 4 November.[20] Kelly's playing time was limited in his debut 2018 season due to competition for places in a star-studded attack, but he gradually earned more opportunities in subsequent campaigns. In late 2020, with his opportunities restricted, he was loaned to St Patrick's Athletic until the end of the season, after which he departed Dundalk permanently to join Bohemians in December 2020.[21]St Patrick's Athletic (loan)
On 27 July 2020, Georgie Kelly joined St Patrick's Athletic on a season-long loan from Dundalk, aiming to secure regular playing time after limited opportunities at Oriel Park during the abbreviated 2020 League of Ireland Premier Division campaign disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[22][23] The 23-year-old striker, who had previously scored prolifically for University College Dublin, brought aerial presence and finishing ability to the Inchicore side, which was pushing for European qualification spots.[24] Kelly made an immediate impact in his debut league outing on 3 August 2020, starting in a 0–2 home defeat to Derry City, his former club, where he played 61 minutes without scoring.[25] He opened his account four days later on 7 August, netting a brace in a 2–0 victory over Finn Harps at Richmond Park—his first goals for the club, both finishes capitalizing on crosses to underline his threat from set pieces and open play.[26][27] These strikes propelled St Patrick's to fourth in the table and highlighted Kelly's integration into the squad under manager Stephen O'Donnell.[28] Over the remainder of the season, Kelly featured in 12 league matches, accumulating 937 minutes and contributing three goals in total, with no assists recorded.[29] His third goal came on 12 September 2020, an 78th-minute equalizer in a 1–1 draw away to Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds, securing a vital point in a tightly contested mid-table clash.[30] He also appeared in cup competitions, including the FAI Cup and League Cup, bringing his overall tally to 13 games, three goals, four yellow cards, and no reds, while logging 982 minutes across all fronts.[31] Despite the team's inconsistent form—finishing sixth in the league—Kelly's loan spell provided a platform to showcase his potential, earning praise for his work rate and hold-up play, though injuries and rotation limited further output. The loan concluded at the end of the 2020 season without extension, as Kelly returned to Dundalk before securing a permanent move to Bohemians in early 2021.[32]Bohemians
Georgie Kelly joined Bohemians on a permanent deal on 22 December 2020, ahead of the 2021 League of Ireland Premier Division season, following his release from Dundalk and a brief loan spell at St Patrick's Athletic.[33][32] The 24-year-old striker quickly established himself as a key figure in Keith Long's squad at Dalymount Park, bringing physical presence and clinical finishing to the team's attack.[34] In his sole full season with Bohemians during 2021, Kelly made 40 appearances across all competitions, scoring 26 goals and providing 6 assists.[18] He led the Premier Division scoring charts with 21 goals in 31 league appearances (29 starts), averaging 0.73 goals per 90 minutes, and contributed 5 assists, topping the league in combined goals plus assists (26).[29] Notable performances included a perfect hat-trick—scored with his left foot, right foot, and header—in a 5–1 league victory over former club Dundalk on 24 May 2021, which helped Bohemians climb to third in the standings.[35][36] Kelly also played a pivotal role in the club's FAI Cup campaign, scoring 5 goals in 6 matches, including a late 89th-minute winner against Waterford in the semi-final on 22 October 2021 after missing an earlier penalty.[37][38] Bohemians reached the final but lost 4–3 on penalties to St Patrick's Athletic after a 1–1 draw on 28 November 2021, with Kelly substituted before the shootout. Kelly's outstanding contributions earned him the PFAI Player of the Year award in December 2021, as well as a place in the Premier Division Team of the Year.[39] His form attracted interest from English clubs, and after informing Bohemians in December 2021 that he would not renew his contract, which expired at the end of the season, he departed on 28 January 2022 to join EFL League One side Rotherham United on a three-and-a-half-year deal.[40][41][42]Rotherham United
Kelly joined Rotherham United on 28 January 2022, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract as a free agent after his deal with Bohemians expired.[41][43] The 25-year-old Irish striker arrived following a prolific 2021 season in the League of Ireland Premier Division, where he scored 24 goals to help Bohemians secure European qualification.[41] Kelly made his debut for Rotherham on 30 April 2022, coming off the bench in a crucial League One match against Gillingham. He scored the second goal in a 2–0 victory, securing automatic promotion to the EFL Championship for the Millers on the final day of the season.[44][45] This late strike, his only appearance in the 2021–22 League One campaign, marked an immediate impact despite limited playing time earlier due to the fixture schedule.[29] In the 2022–23 Championship season, Kelly featured in 29 league matches, starting just three, and scored four goals, including his first in the division against Blackpool on 16 September 2022.[46][29] Rotherham finished 19th, avoiding relegation, with Kelly providing depth as a forward option amid competition for places. The following season, 2023–24, saw him make 18 Championship appearances with one start, netting once and recording his sole assist for the club in a 3–2 win over Plymouth Argyle on 28 October 2023.[29] Overall, across two Championship seasons, Kelly accumulated 47 league appearances, five goals, and one assist, often used as a substitute in Rotherham's survival bids.[29] His time at the club ended on 1 February 2024, when he transferred to Carlisle United for an undisclosed fee, signing a new three-and-a-half-year deal.[47]Carlisle United
Kelly joined Carlisle United on 1 February 2024, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee from EFL Championship club Rotherham United.[3] The move reunited him with former Bohemians manager Paul Simpson, who had coached him during a successful spell in the League of Ireland Premier Division.[2] In the remainder of the 2023–24 EFL League One season, Kelly made 7 appearances, starting 5, and logged 393 minutes without scoring a goal or providing an assist, as Carlisle finished bottom of the table and were relegated to League Two.[29] His debut came as a substitute in a 1–0 home win over Shrewsbury Town on 10 February 2024, followed by starts in the subsequent matches.[48] During the 2024–25 EFL League Two campaign, Kelly featured more regularly, appearing in 18 matches with 7 starts and accumulating 748 minutes. He scored 5 goals and recorded 1 assist, contributing to Carlisle's attack amid a challenging season that ended in relegation after finishing 23rd with 42 points.[29] As of November 2025, in the 2025–26 National League season—Carlisle's first in the fifth tier since 2003–04—Kelly has made 19 appearances, starting 10, with 1,116 minutes played. He has netted 4 goals and provided 1 assist, helping the team to 3rd place with 40 points from 19 games.[29]Personal life
Education
Georgie Kelly balanced his burgeoning football career with higher education at University College Dublin (UCD), where he enrolled as an undergraduate commerce student in 2015, joining the UCD AFC team that November. This decision came after limited first-team opportunities at Derry City, allowing him to pursue academic goals alongside semi-professional football in the League of Ireland First Division.[8] Kelly continued his studies at UCD's Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, completing a Master of Science (MSc) in Renewable Energy and Environmental Finance on a part-time basis while playing professionally for clubs including Dundalk, Bohemians, and Rotherham United. The program's focus on sustainable energy policy and financial modeling aligned with his interest in long-term career security beyond football, a concern he has publicly discussed given the sport's uncertainties. He graduated in December 2022, marking a significant personal milestone amid his professional ascent.[49][50][4]Community involvement
Georgie Kelly has been actively involved in community initiatives, particularly those focused on environmental sustainability and education, leveraging his platform as a professional footballer to promote climate awareness. During his time at Rotherham United, he joined the club's Community Trust environmental sub-group, contributing to programs addressing environmental issues, health, and the cost of living. His efforts earned him the Rotherham United Community Trust "Community Player of the Year" award in 2023 for his work in advancing sustainability.[51] Kelly initiated practical community projects, such as a "Swap Shop" where fans could donate and exchange old football kits, ensuring children in need received new gear while reducing waste. He also motivated eight teammates to participate in a large-scale litter pick during the EFL's Week of Action, involving over 150 community members and representatives from 5-6 local schools. These actions were part of broader preparations for the Green Football Weekend in February 2024, where Rotherham promoted vegetarian meals, encouraged walking or cycling to matches, and hosted another Swap Shop event at the AESSEAL New York Stadium. Kelly's background, including a Master's degree in Renewable Energy and Environmental Finance from University College Dublin, has informed his passion for these causes.[51] At Carlisle United, Kelly continued his environmental engagement by visiting Komatsu's site in July 2024 as part of the club's Climate Heroes project, an educational initiative funded by the club's sleeve sponsor. During the visit, he toured sustainable forestry operations, interacted with equipment simulators, and engaged with over 350 school pupils from 20 classes across six sessions, highlighting emission reductions and net-zero goals. Kelly praised the program for inspiring young people on biodiversity and climate change, underscoring his commitment to community education on sustainability.[52]Career statistics
Domestic league appearances and goals
As of 17 November 2025.[29]| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derry City | 2015 | Premier Division | 3 | 0 |
| Dundalk | 2018–2020 | Premier Division | 13 | 1 |
| St Patrick's Athletic (loan) | 2020 | Premier Division | 12 | 3 |
| Bohemians | 2021 | Premier Division | 31 | 21 |
| Rotherham United | 2021–2023 | League One / Championship | 48 | 6 |
| Carlisle United | 2023–2026 | League One / League Two / National League | 44 | 9 |
| Career total | 151 | 40 |
Honours
Club
UCD Dundalk- League of Ireland Premier Division: 2018, 2019[53]
- FAI Cup: 2018[54]
- League of Ireland Cup: 2019[54]
Individual
- League of Ireland Premier Division top scorer: 2021 (21 goals)
- PFAI Players' Player of the Year: 2021
- Soccer Writers' Ireland Player of the Year: 2021
