Andy Kelly (rugby League)

Andy Kelly (born 8 November 1960), also known by the nicknames of "Boot", and "Big Andy", is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s, and Coach (sport), coached in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He played at representative level for England national rugby league team, England, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity (two spells) (Captain (sports), captain), Hull Kingston Rovers and the Illawarra Steelers (unused Substitution (sport), substitute in the 24-8 victory over Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Endeavour Field, Sydney on Sunday 24 June 1984), as a , and has coached at representative level for Ireland national rugby league team, Ireland, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity, Wakefield Trinity/Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Newcastle Thunder, Gateshead Thunder, Featherstone Rovers and the Dewsbury Rams.

Background

Andy Kelly was born in Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Playing career

Hull Kingston Rovers

Kelly played at in Hull Kingston Rovers' 12–29 defeat by Hull F.C. in the 1984–85 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1984–85 Rugby Football League season, 1984–85 season at Boothferry Park, Kingston upon Hull, on Saturday 27 October 1984, appeared as a Substitution (sport), substitute (replacing Phil Hogan (rugby league), Phil Hogan) in the 22–18 victory over Castleford Tigers, Castleford in the 1985–86 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1985–86 Rugby Football League season, 1985–86 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Headingley, Leeds, on Sunday 27 October 1985.

Kelly played at in Hull Kingston Rovers' 8–11 defeat by Wigan Warriors, Wigan in the 1985–86 League Cup (rugby league), 1985–86 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1985–86 Rugby Football League season, 1985–86 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 11 January 1986.

Kelly played at in Hull Kingston Rovers' 14–15 defeat by Castleford Tigers, Castleford in the 1985–86 Challenge Cup Final during the 1985–86 Rugby Football League season, 1985–86 season at Wembley Stadium (1923), Wembley Stadium, London, on Saturday 3 May 1986, in front of a crowd of 82,134.

Wakefield Trinity

Kelly played at and was Captain (sports), captain in Wakefield Trinity's 8–11 defeat by Castleford Tigers, Castleford in the 1990–91 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1990–91 Rugby Football League season, 1990–91 season at Elland Road, Leeds, on Sunday 23 September 1990.

During his time at Wakefield Trinity he scored fifteen 3-point tries and, fifteen 4-point tries.

International honours

Andy Kelly won a Cap (sport), cap for England national rugby league team, England while at Wakefield Trinity in 1984 against Wales.

Honours

England International - 1984

RL Championship Winner - 1983/84 & 1984/85

Yorkshire Cup Winner - 1985/86

JPS Trophy R-Up - 1985/86

Premiership Trophy R-Up - 1984/85

Yorkshire Cup R-Up - 1984/85

Coaching career

He is the former head coach of the Ireland national rugby league team, Ireland national rugby league team having coached them for over 11 years.

He is the former coach of Dewsbury Rams, Wakefield Trinity, Wakefield Trinity/Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Featherstone Rovers, and Newcastle Thunder, Gateshead.

In December 2013, Kelly was appointed as Head of Youth Performance at Huddersfield Giants. He temporarily coached the senior team in 2016, following the departure of Paul Anderson (rugby league, born 1971), Paul Anderson. In 2019, he took on an additional role at the club as Rugby Manager.

Kelly was appointed as coach of the England Academy team in 2015. He was replaced by Lee Briers in 2017.

Personal life

Andy Kelly is one of three brothers to have played professional Rugby league; Neil Kelly played for Wakefield Trinity, Dewsbury Rams, Hunslet R.L.F.C., Hunslet and Featherstone Rovers and Richard Kelly (rugby league), Richard Kelly played for Wakefield Trinity and Dewsbury Rams during the 1980s and 1990s.

References

External links

Kelly Leads Wakefield to Grand Final Glory2010 Kelly eyes Student Cup Shock2008 Kelly hopes for NEW OPPORTUNITIES After World Cup Success2008 Superb Ireland Hammer Samoa2008 Ireland Shake Tonga in World Cup Opener
*2008 Rugby League World Cup, 2008 Kelly Names World Cup Squad
2007 Andy Kelly takes Ireland Team to Carnegie University (video)2001 Same again for Ireland

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kelly, Andy
1960 births
Living people
Dewsbury Rams coaches
England national rugby league team players
English rugby league coaches
English rugby league players
Featherstone Rovers coaches
Newcastle Thunder coaches
Hull Kingston Rovers players
Ireland national rugby league team coaches
Rugby league players from Wakefield
Rugby league second-rows
Wakefield Trinity coaches
Wakefield Trinity players
Yorkshire rugby league team players
20th-century English sportsmen