ALAN KELLY HAS been named Major League Soccer Referee of the Year in just his second season in the league.
The Cork native took charge of 21 MLS fixtures throughout the course of the 2015 season and was voted as the best official by players, club management and the media.
Kelly moved to America in January 2014 after a securing a role with the Professional Referee Organisation. He soon established himself as a leading referee and was nominated for the same award twelve months ago.
The 40-year-old was the winner by a clear margin, ahead of Baldomero Toledo and Jair Marrufo.
Before moving Stateside, Kelly took charge of more than 350 SSE Airtricity League of Ireland games and is widely regarded as Ireland’s finest referee having being named the referee of the year at the PFAI awards five times.
The former Fifa and Uefa referee has been the man in the middle for Champions League and international games during his career.
