Georgie Kelly: ‘I didn’t think I’d have the ability to play in the Championship’

The goal was always to go to university, pass the exams and be in a position to get a decent job, but somehow football got in the way. Nevertheless, it’s no coincidence that Georgie Kelly now finds himself as a professional footballer with EFL Championship side Rotherham United as he continue his steady upwards trajectory.

Having come through the Derry City youth system and making only a few first-team appearances, the then 19-year old planned on attending UCD, with the focus leaning more towards studies than on-field football activities.

“I was always set on doing it the way it was because football was never an option I was thinking about,” said Kelly when he spoke with extratime.com recently.

"However, two or three weeks before I was set to go, I’d been in and around the first team. Peter Hutton, the (Derry) manager at the time, called me in and offered me a two-year pro contract, which shocked me a little bit because I wasn’t expecting it.

"I didn’t even think I’d have the decision to make. It was too late because I had my accommodation set up and everything sorted for UCD, which made it easier for me to say no. If it had been a year earlier, I’m not so sure it would have been an easy decision.”

The Students

More than a goal every two games for UCD convinced high-flying Dundalk, under Stephen Kenny, that the striker would be a good addition to their ranks.

During Kelly’s first full season (2019), the Lilywhites, led by Kenny’s former assistant Vinny Perth, came within a whisker of an historic treble after eventually succumbing to Shamrock Rovers on penalties in the FAI Cup final.

“It would have been great for us and something which could have topped off an already incredible year. It was a remarkable transition for Vinny, taking over from Stephen. It was disappointing to come that close to a treble, but we still saw it as a good year.”

Gypsies

Following a loan spell at St Patrick’s Athletic, Kelly signed for Bohemians in late 2020. The subsequent campaign witnessed a huge transformation, which resulted in no silverware, but top scoring in the league with 21 goals and being named Footballer of the Year.

“Up until that point I hadn’t really been a central figure in a team. At Dundalk, I was always behind Pat Hoban, then went to Pat’s for a few months and struggled for fitness. Bohs was like a fresh start for me. The dynamic of the squad helped as well. It was a really young squad.

"I was one of the senior players, even though I was only a young fella and probably suited my personality a little bit. There was a load of variables, which luckily, all came together: the style of play at Bohs suited me, my relationship with Ross Tierney – playing off me, with a lot of legs.

"A lot of players, at all levels, don’t take that into account and the importance of a fit between a player and a club, plus the style that they play. Just because a big club comes in, if it’s not a good fit, there’s disconnect and won’t be smooth.”

The Millers

On the back of the Donegal man’s outstanding solitary season at Dalymount Park, a move to League One outfit Rotherham United ensued in January 2022.

A first team debut wasn’t forthcoming for another three months, but notching the second goal ten minutes after coming on, in a 2-0 away win against Gillingham to secure promotion to the Championship, isn’t a bad way to do so.

“It was some day. It was scorching ... 28 degrees or something, down in Gillingham. I remember not thinking I was even going to be on the bench. We had a couple of senior players back from injury, who I thought were going to be thrown in ahead of me on the bench, never mind getting on.

"The fact that I hadn’t made any appearances in the weeks leading up to that meant that I wasn’t expecting to get on at all. Because it was such a shock, made it a little easier for me. I wasn’t sitting there, anxious about coming on in such a high-pressure, intense game. Within no time I was on and didn’t even get a chance to warm up.

"The goal and scenes afterwards are something which will stay with me for the rest of my life ... A really cool moment to have.”

The EFL Championship, being a notoriously competitive league, with clubs’ varying squad sizes, financial resources and expectations, the aim for this season was always going to be avoid relegation and hopefully build from there. They currently sit 20^th in the 24 team division.

“We’re about where we want to be. We probably have the lowest budget in the division, so it’s always going to be an uphill task, just surviving. We went through a bit of a blip, but have improved in the last few weeks. It’s probably going to go down to the wire, no matter what because it’s so tight at the bottom.

"We’re expecting a dogfight until the end and I’ve been reasonably content. I didn’t think I’d have the ability to play in the Championship, to be honest and this time last year I didn’t know what I was doing with my life. I felt I’ve contributed when I have played and scored a few goals.

"Some injuries have set me back the last two months, which has been very frustrating. Hopefully I can have a good end to the season and chip in with a few more goals. I can’t complain where I’m at and hopefully we’ll have enough to survive.”

2023 Season Preview: Bohemians https://t.co/skjl7dnvZypic.twitter.com/ypRSHZ5BLG

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) February 13, 2023