Simon Kelly (born: 4 July 1984) is a versatile defender, who can also play in midfield, who has spent his entire League of Ireland career with Dundalk. Kelly made his senior breakthrough at Oriel Park under Trevor Anderson when he made one appearance during the interim season of 2002/03. Kelly went on to make a further 108 appearances, scoring 11 goals, over the following four seasons, with his first league goal for the club coming in his first full year in a 3-1 defeat at Bray Wanderers on 22 April 2003. However, as Dundalk struggled badly under both Anderson and Jim Gannon, Kelly’s fine form failed to inspire the Lilywhites to any success.

Upon the arrival of John Gill in December 2005, however, the youngster’s ability was matched by a quality squad, who went on to earn promotion with a run of just one loss in their final 25 games of the season. Kelly was to play a pivotal role during that campaign at the centre of defence, however, despite Dundalk’s 3-2 aggregate win in the promotion/relegation playoff final against Waterford United, Galway United, who finished only third in the First Division title race, were instead given a place in the Premier Division due to criteria set down by the FAI. Following that, and a failure to agree a new contract with Gill for the 2007 First Division campaign, Simon departed to join Irish League side, Ballymena United.

There, he spent 18 months, where he made a total of 28 appearances, scoring one goal. However, when Roy Walker took over as manager of the Showgrounds club, he immediately placed five players on the transfer list, including Kelly. Alerted to the availability of the player, Gill soon agreed terms with Simon, with the defender completing his move home in mid July after eventually receiving international clearance. He went on to play eight games (four from the start) as Dundalk sealed the First Division crown in dramatic fashion, and he was one of only three players - along with Tiarnán Mulvenna and Chris Bennion - to be retained by new manager Sean Connor for the Lilywhites’ return to the Premier Division. Kelly made his first ever appearance in the top flight of League of Ireland football when he started Dundalk’s opening game of the season, a 1-0 defeat by Bohemians on 6 March.

 
Profile last updated: July 2009