Rotherham United striker Georgie Kelly has revealed that the South Yorkshire club had been in contact with him since the summer of 2021, during Bohemians European qualifying campaign, before eventually singing for the English club at the beginning of 2022.
Kelly was speaking to Ciaran Callan on FinalWhistle as part of the LOI Show this week. The striker added that his reasoning for joining the now Championship side was because it suited his style of play, which is something he was very cautious of while making his choice. The club’s keen interest in Kelly over the period of time was also another factor, knowing that they weren’t jumping on the bandwagon following his prolific season.
“I was conscious going to a team I would fit and the styles would match. Rotherham was kind of perfect. They’re real direct, kind of long ball, any chance we get you have to cross it.”
He scored in the 89th minute on his debut to send Rotherham back to the Championship after beating Gillingham away 2-0. His long awaited debut was put on hold initially after the striker tore his calf when he was only in the door.
“It wasn’t a bad debut but, it took me a while to get up and running. That was a bit of a setback but, to finish the season the way we did, the highs, it was pretty sweet.”
The Donegal man had featured for numerous League of Ireland clubs before making the short trip across the Irish Sea at the start of the year. UCD, Dundalk, St. Patrick’s Athletic, and Bohemians were all clubs Kelly featured for.
It began at UCD where Kelly praised the setup at the university. The relationship between the football side of things and the stature in which the university is held in he feels is really unique.
“I was speaking to a psychologist in England, and he couldn’t believe that there wasn’t more international kids coming in. UCD is a top college. I couldn’t recommend it enough. I feel blessed to have been part of it. It is a fantastic environment for young players.”
He argues that going to a college like UCD and experiencing senior men’s football is perhaps a better move for young kids as opposed to going over to clubs in England and getting an education there.
After UCD, Kelly moved to Dundalk under the leadership of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny. It didn’t take long for Kenny to impress Kelly.
“As soon as I stepped in the door, you could see the aura and the respect he [Kenny] had. I probably haven’t seen it since. He was fantastic in everything he done. I always seen Stephen as managing at a higher level. He’s flying.”
In the summer of 2020, he left Dundalk and joined St. Patrick’s Athletic who were managed by Stephen O’Donnell at the time and like Kenny, O’Donnell also impressed Kelly in his application and philosophy.
“From the first time speaking to him, you could tell he [Stephen] was going to be successful. He’s really driven and all in. He’s fully consumed by the role. It didn’t surprise me in the slightest. I imagine in the next few years he’ll kick on.”
Following his brief stint at Pats, Kelly joined Bohemians after his contract with Dundalk came to an end. Under Keith Long, the striker enjoyed a fantastic personal season at Dalymount. A penalty shootout defeat to Kelly’s former club, St. Pats, in the FAI Cup final last November casted a shadow over the season in an overall sense.
“It’s tricky because if we had of won that cup, I would be saying it was a fantastic year. I enjoyed every minute of it. I know the fans wanted a trophy desperately. I wouldn’t class the year as a failure, again, we were a penalty shootout away from everything being perfect.”
“The run in Europe is probably something I’ll never experience again. It was really special, especially the win against PAOK.”
Kelly will be hoping to get into the Rotherham starting 11 as they gear for life in the Championship and know that a good run of form coupled with goals and assists could mean a potential Ireland call-up and reunion with Kenny isn’t a million miles away.
