ON SUNDAY, IRELAND will take on England in Dublin for the first time since 1995 when, infamously, the game was abandoned following a riot started by visiting supporters.
Ireland held a 1-0 lead at the time thanks to a David Kelly goal.
However, despite being born in Birmingham, ‘Ned’ — as he’s known to everyone — had no mixed emotions about scoring against the country of his birth.
“No, it didn’t feel strange at all,” he told The42 this week.
“From the moment Jack [Charlton] asked me to play for Ireland I couldn’t have been more proud.
“I still remember how it felt when he asked me. I’d just played against Rotherham and while I hadn’t performed brilliantly I had scored and Jack told me he wanted me to be part of the squad and it felt like such an honour to be asked.”
Kelly famously went on to score a hat-trick against Israel on his debut in 1987 but he is still best remembered for his strike against England, even if it doesn’t officially count.
Try telling that to the Scunthorpe United assistant manager though who previously told The42:
“The goal still counts in my house; that’s good enough for me.
“I remember the goal clearly. Terry Phelan played the ball into the left-hand side of the area. I managed to get my shot off near the back post.
“It hit the top of David Seaman’s arm and scooted in. He would’ve been disappointed that he didn’t stop it. Getting the lead was a great start and, for myself, it was a fantastic moment.”
Despite having no second thoughts of his own about representing Ireland, Kelly is sympathetic to the plight of another footballer with Birmingham roots, Jack Grealish.
“I don’t understand what Jack’s thinking,” he said.
“For me it was an easy decision and I just followed my heart and I think ultimately, Jack should do the same.
“That way, whoever he chooses to play for, whether it be Ireland or England, I think we can respect his decision because he’s done what he thinks is right.
“You can’t ask for any more than that and once he’s taken the decision I think everyone should just accept it and move on.”
