The funeral took place in Letterkenny today of legendary soccer man, Dessie Kelly.
Known to many as ‘Mr Football’, the well-known and liked administrator from Knocknamona Park, Letterkenny, passed away on Thursday. He was 79 years-of-age.
Dessie was a founding member of Letterkenny Rovers in 1962 and was a player, manager, groundsman, fundraiser and administrator.
As a manager, he led the club to historic back to back Donegal League titles along with Liam Blake in the 1980/81 and 1981/82 seasons.
He had only recently stepped down from the position at the club’s AGM in March having served as chairman for 25 years.
Past and present members of the club formed a guard of honour as Mr Kelly’s remains were taken to and from St Eunan’s Cathedral.
The mass was celebrated by Monsignor Kevin Gillespie who described him as a “man who was deeply respected and made a huge contribution across the community”.
He was joined on the altar by Fr Willie McMenamin, an FAI Junior Cup winner with Swilly Rovers in 1962, as well as Fr Damien Nezad.
“His contribution to the Rovers was never about himself,” Mgr Gillespie added.
“From a young age, he decided to be generous with himself, not so much in the cause of football, but of the young who could find fun and achievement. It was simple encouragement of the young if they were lagging or were thinking of dropping out.”
As well as being a lifelong member of Letterkenny Rovers and chairman for over two decades, Dessie had been a dedicated and committed administrator across so many league organisations over the years.
He served as a long-time secretary of the Donegal Junior League and the Ulster Senior League while he also held various roles in the Donegal Women’s League, the Donegal Youth League, the Donegal Schoolboys League and the Letterkenny & District Schoolboys League over many decades. He was also secretary of the Ulster Football Association. In 2022 he received his award for honorary life membership of the FAI.
Since his passing, condolences have been shared from far and wide to Mr Kelly’s wife Annette and all the Kelly family.
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