Niall Kelly retires from Inter County Football after brilliant career
Kildare's Niall Kelly has retired from inter county football. Photo: INPHO
Kildare and Athy forward Niall Kelly has called time on his Inter-County football career with the Kildare County board confirming the news in a statement this evening (Sunday).
Kelly, who made over 100 appearances for his county, dedicated many years of great service for the county, with his final performance in a Kildare jersey coming in the Tailteann Cup semi-final against Fermanagh earlier this year.
The statement read: "On behalf of Kildare GAA, we wish to sincerely thank Niall Kelly for his outstanding service, following his decision to step down from Inter County Football.
"As a 19-year-old, Niall made his Kildare Senior Football debut in a winning O’Byrne Cup Final against Dublin. He went on to make 101 appearances in all competitions, his last coming against Fermanagh in last summer’s Tailteann Cup semi-final. He scored a total of 14 goals and 138 points during his Senior career. One highlight was a classy goal against Cork in a Round 4 Qualifier victory in Semple Stadium in 2015.
"Niall won an Under 21 Leinster Championship in 2013 and it is fitting that his final year with Kildare ended with Tailteann Cup victory in 2025. He also won a Sigerson Cup with UCD in 2016 and three Kildare Senior Football Championships with his club, Athy, in 2011, 2020 and more recently in 2025.
"Popular with his fellow Club and County players, we wish Niall all the very best for the next chapter in his life.
"Niall would like to sincerely thank his family, club and everyone involved in Kildare GAA for their unwavering support throughout his career."
