Career
Club
Kelleher played his club football with his local club in Millstreet, however, he enjoyed little success. Inter-county
By the late 1960s Kelleher had joined the Cork senior team, however, the team was forced to play second fiddle to Kerry. In 1971 Cork were back.
A 0–25 to 0–14 trouncing of back-to-back All-Ireland champions Kerry gave Kelleher a coveted Munster winners" medal.
Cork, however, were later defeated by eventual champions Offaly in the All-Ireland semi-final. Two years later Kelleher secured his second Munster winners" medal.
The 5–12 to 1–15 defeat of arch-rivals Kerry showed the traditional football powers that Cork were coming. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Galway.
Teenager Jimmy Barry-Murphy scored the first of his two goals after just two minutes before scored a third for Cork after switching to left wing-forward.
At full-time Cork were the champions by 3–17 to 2–13. This victory gave Kelleher a coveted All-Ireland winners" medal. Cork continued their provincial dominance in 1974.
A 1–11 to 0–7 defeat of Kerry gave Kelleher a third Munster winners" medal.
This victory resulted in Cork being installed as the favourites to retain their All-Ireland title. An air of overconfidence crept into the side as Kelleher"s side were defeated by eventual champions Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Inter-provincial
Kelleher also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial football competition. He first played with his province in 1974, however, success was slow in coming.
Kelleher was a non-playing substitute when Munster retained the title in 1976.
Humphrey Kelleher died on September 21, 2005, after a short illness.
