Alan Kelly Snr

Alan Kelly Senior - Irish Soccer Manager

In April 1980 Alan Kelly Snr became the manager of the Republic of Ireland football team following the resignation of Johnny Giles just one match into the 1982 World Cup qualifiers. Kelly who had been the Irish international goalkeeper was the caretaker manager of Preston North End at the time. Kelly's tenure as Irish manager lasted a for just a single friendly match after which the former international concluded that he could not hold down both positions. His resignation opened the way for the appointment of another former international, Eoin Hand, to the position of Irish team manager.

Alan Kelly - International Career

Alan Kelly Senior made his debut for the Republic of Ireland on 25 November 1956 at Dalymount Park in a stunning 3-0 victory over World champions West Germany. Kelly was still playing for Drums at this stage and the team included seven League of Ireland players in total. He went on to earn 47 caps for Ireland and surprisingly, for such a good goalkeeper, he only kept four clean sheets. This was probably more often a reflection of the quality of the Irish teams that he played in during his international career. Alan Kelly's last match for the Republic of Ireland was a 1-1 draw with Norway in Oslo on 6th June 1973.

Alan Kelly - Shoretst Term as a Republic of Ireland Manager

Due to his premature retirement from international football management Alan Kelly Snr took charge of the Irish senior team for just one match. Ireland beat Switzerland 2-0 in a friendly match at Lansdowne Road (now Aviva Stadium) on 30th April 1980. Goals from Don Givens and Gerry Daly secured the victory. The team for the match was:

Gerry Peyton - Fulham; Mark Lawrenson - Brighton & Hove Albion; Dave Langan - Derby County; Kevin Moran - Manchester United; Chris Hughton - Tottenham Hotspur; Gerry Daly - Derby County; Tony Grealish - Luton Town; Gary Waddock - QPR; Paul McGee - Preston North End; Don Givens Birmingham City; Gerry Ryan - Brighton & Hove Albion.

As this was Alan Kelly's only match as the manager of the Republic of Ireland he has the unique distinction of being the only Irish manager with a 100% win record.

Alan Kelly' Record as Irish Manager

Republic of Ireland Football Managers - Irish Manager's Records

Mick Meagan - Liam Tuohy - Sean Thomas - Johnny Giles - Alan Kelly - Eoin Hand - Jack Charlton
Jack Charlton's Playing Style - Jack Charlton's Appointment - Mick McCarthy - Don Givens - Brian Kerr
Steve Staunton - Giovanni Trapattoni

Irish Football Players

George Best - Packie Bonner - Liam Brady - Noel Cantwell - Jackie Carey - Derek Dougan - Damien Duff
Tony Dunne - Alan Kelly - Shay Given - Don Givens - Pat Jennings - Robbie Keane - Roy Keane - Alan Kelly
Con Martin - Paul McGrath - David O'Leary - Niall Quinn - Frank Stapleton - Ronnie Whelan - Norman Whiteside