Tonight's line-up also means Academy graduate @L_Kelly95 will notch up senior appearance number 5️⃣0️⃣ in a Reading shirt! 💙 #OneOfOurOwn pic.twitter.com/rORnjsznfv
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) November 28, 2017
THERE’S BEEN PLENTY of doom and gloom written about Irish football and the apparent lack of young players coming through in recent weeks, but one player of considerable promise is Liam Kelly.
The 22-year-old midfielder has already been included in Irish provisional squads and looks like one for the future on the evidence of his performances in the Championship so far.
Kelly played 81 minutes of Reading’s 3-0 win over Barnsley last night, with the win leaving the Royals 16th in the table, but still just nine points off the promotion spots with over half the season to go.
In what was his 50th appearance for the club and 16th in all competitions this season, Kelly had a significant influence on the game — it was his corner that was headed home by Dave Edwards for the opening goal on 20 minutes.
With the next competitive match over a year away, the Irish side are expected to blood a few young, inexperienced players in the coming months, and it would be no surprise to see Kelly being one of those rewarded if he can maintain his current level of performance.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
