Career
French Kelly was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion. At club level Kelly played with the famous Glen Rovers. Club Kelly played his club hurling with the famous Glen Rovers club on the north side of city.
He enjoyed little success at minor level before joining the club’s senior team
In spite of the Glen going through a hugely successful period during the 1940s, Kelly helped the team to many championship titles but never played in a county final himself. Inter-county He later lined out in an All-Ireland decider against Kilkenny.
A 5-2 to 2-2 score line gave the victory and gave Kelly a coveted All-Ireland medal. By 1943 Kelly had joined the senior team
He was unused substitute that year as claimed both the Munster and All-Ireland crowns.
In 1944 Kelly made his championship debut as were attempting to capture a fourth All-Ireland title in-a-row. The year got off to a good start when defeated Limerick by 4-6 to 3-6 after a replay to give Kelly a first Munster medal. Foreign the third time in four years faced Dublin in an All-Ireland decider.
Joe Kelly was the hero of the day and he contributed greatly to "s 2-13 to 1-2 victory.
lieutenant was a first All-Ireland medal for Kelly. Five-in-a-row proved to be a bridge too far for, however, the team returned in 1946.
A 3-8 to 1-3 defeat of Limerick gave Kelly his second Munster medal. While some had written off "s chances, they took an interval lead of four points.
With ten minutes remaining "s lead was reduced to just two points, however, goals by Mossy O"Riordan and Kelly secured the victory.
A 7-6 to 3-8 score line gave Kelly a second All-Ireland medal. retained their provincial dominance in 1947 with Kelly picking up a third winners" medal following a three-point victory over Limerick. The All-Ireland final was a repeat of the previous year with Kilkenny providing the opposition. The stakes were high for both sides as were aiming for a record sixth championship in seven seasons while Kilkenny were aiming to avoid becoming the first team to lose three consecutive All-Ireland finals.
In what has been described as one of the greatest deciders of all-time, little separated the two teams over the course if the hour.
A Kelly goal put one point ahead with time almost up, however, Terry Leahy proved to be the hero of the day. With that the game was over and Kelly"s side were beaten by 0-14 to 2-7.
lieutenant was the fifth time that Kilkenny had pipped by a single point in an All-Ireland final. Kelly was ordained a priest in June 1949 and effectively brought his inter-county career to an official education
He emigrated to New Zealand in October of that year and spent the rest of his life ministering in Christchurch.
