FAI remembers Dessie Kelly with tribute at Ireland-Greece game

The late Dessie Kelly, widely known as Donegal's 'Mr Football', was remembered in a tribute at Tuesday's Nations League game between the Republic of Ireland and Greece at Aviva Stadium.

The match programme featured a tribute to the Letterkenny native, whose image was beamed on the big screen as Irish football remembered legendary figures who have died recently.

Mr Kelly, late of Knocknamona Park in Letterkenny, passed away in June at the age of 79.

A founder member of Letterkenny Rovers in 1962, he filled every role at the Leckview Park club and was the club chairperson until May of this year.

“Christy Moore regularly sings about remembering the brave ones - tonight at the Aviva Stadium we remember the football ones, those who passed recently after a lifetime of devotion to the Irish game in every guise,” a piece in the match programme read.

Mr Kelly, it said, had a love of the beautiful game that stayed “from the cradle to the grave”.

“A founder member of Letterkenny Rovers back in 1962, Dessie served as player, manager, groundsman, fundraiser and administrator with an aplomb that was recognized by his election as an Honorary Life Member of the FAl in 2022,” the piece said.

“That award was well deserved for a man known simply known as Mr Football, an administrator who, led the way as secretary of the Donegal Junior League and the Ulster Senior League as well as filling roles with the Donegal Women's League, Youth League, Schoolboys League and the Letterkenny & District Schoolboys League.

“He also served as secretary of the Ulster Football Association into the bargain.

“Mr Football indeed.”