Patrick Kelly (footballer)

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Patrick Kelly (born May 8, 1968) is a former footballer from Derry, Northern Ireland. He played in the Derry and District League for Oxford United Stars F.C. as a youth before he moved to Raphoe and played in the Irish Ulster Senior League with Kildrum Tigers F.C., Letterkenny Rovers F.C. and numerous other clubs. He was soon signed by Finn Harps F.C. and has played alongside Jose Mukendi and Paul Hegarty, whom he also went to school with. Kelly made only a few appearances for the Finn Valley club, notably matches against Home Farm and Dundalk F.C. who, at that time had a squad that included Steve Staunton. Kelly also made an appearance for Drumoghill F.C. against a Lifford Celtic team that included Shay Given. However, Kelly, who was so infatuated with perfection in his game, left the club because he felt he was "not good enough" and reportedly threw his goalkeeping gloves into the River Finn. Kelly also played in London for Derry Rovers F.C. when he left in 1987 to work. When he moved to Strathfoyle, the local football team, Lisahally F.C. wasted no time in securing his signature and there, he joined Lawrence Mullan to help make up one of the strongest Lisahally sides ever. Kelly, along with Paul Hegarty was once described as one of Ireland's "Lost Boys" when the Irish football team travelled to the 1990 FIFA World Cup.