Connie Kelly

Cornelius "Connie" Kelly (born 1949) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a right wing-forward for the Cork senior team.

Kelly joined the team during the 1971 championship and was a regular member of the starting fifteen for just one season. He enjoyed little success that season as Cork faced an early exit from the championship.

At club level Kelly won intermediate championship and junior championship medals with Coughduv.

Playing career

Club

Kelly played his club hurling with Cloughduv and enjoyed much success.

In 1970 he was in the forward line as Cloughduv faced Courcey Rovers in the junior championship decider. A 3-15 to 2-4 victory, with Kelly contributing 2-9, gave Cloughduv the victory and gave Kelly a coveted junior championship medal.^[1]

After just three seasons in the intermediate grade, Cloughduv reached the county decider in 1973. A 2-9 to 2-5 defeat of Blackrock gave Kelly an intermediate championship medal.

Inter-county

Kelly first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor hurling team in 1966. He made his debut in the provincial semi-final and later collected a Munster medal following a 6-7 to 2-8 defeat of Galway.^[2] Cork later faced Wexford in the All-Ireland decider, however, a high-scoring 6-7 apiece draw was the result. The replay was much more conclusive with Wexford claiming a 4-1 to 1-8 victory.

In 1967 Kelly missed Cork's provincial victory, however, he was back on the starting fifteen as Cork later faced Wexford in the All-Ireland decider once again. A 2-15 to 5-3 victory gave Kelly a coveted All-Ireland medal.

Three years later Kelly joined the Cork under-21 hurling team. He won a Munster medal as a non-playing substitute following a 3-11 to 2-7 defeat of Tipperary. Cork faced their old rivals Wexford in the subsequent All-Ireland decider, however, that game ended in a draw. In the replay Cork went into overdrive and Kelly won an All-Ireland medal following a 5-17 to 0-8 thrashing.

In 1971 Kelly made his senior debut in a Munster semi-final defeat by Limerick. He scored seven points from the half-forward line, however, it turned out to be his only championship appearance for Cork.

Honours

Team

Cloughduv

• Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship (1): 1973
• Cork Junior Hurling Championship (1): 1970

Cork

• All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 1970
• Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 1970 (sub)
• All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship (1): 1967
• Munster Minor Hurling Championship (2): 1966, 1967

References