Niamh Kelly
{{short description|Australian rules footballer}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox AFL biography
| name = Niamh Kelly
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| fullname = Niamh Kelly
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|8|30|df=y}}
| birth_place =
| draftpick = 2019 rookie signing
| debutdate = Round 1, 2020
| debutteam = {{AFLW|WC}}
| debutopponent = {{AFLW|Col}}
| debutstadium = Victoria Park
| height = 171 cm
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = {{AFLW|Ade}}
| guernsey = 23
| years1 = 2020–2022
| club1 = {{AFLW|WC}}
| games_goals1 = 22 (5)
| years2 = S7 (2022)–
| club2 = {{AFLW|Ade}}
| games_goals2 = 35 (11)
| games_goalstotal = 57 (16)
| statsend = 2024
| careerhighlights =
}}
Niamh Kelly (born 30 August 1995) is a gaelic football player who plays for Mayo and an Australian rules footballer who plays for Adelaide in the AFL Women's (AFLW). She has previously played for West Coast. She is the sister of St Kilda player Grace Kelly.{{Cite web|title=Niamh Kelly {{!}} AFL|url=https://www.afc.com.au/players/aflw/2155/niamh-kelly|website=afc.com.au|language=en|access-date=11 December 2024}}
AFL Women's career
In June 2019, Kelly joined West Coast as an international rookie, together with her sister Grace.{{Cite web|title=Mayo sisters Niamh & Grace Kelly sign for West Coast Eagles in AFLW|url=https://midwestradio.ie/index.php/sport/30861-mayo-sisters-niamh-grace-kelly-sign-for-west-coast-eagles-in-aflw|website=Midwest Radio|language=en-gb|access-date=2020-05-05}}{{Cite web|title='It's something as a child you dream of. To do that alongside my sister in Australia is class'|url=https://www.the42.ie/niamh-grace-kelly-west-coast-eagles-aflw-feature-4615160-May2019/|last=Duffy|first=Emma|website=The42|language=en|access-date=2020-05-05}}{{Cite web|title=AFLW: Eagles Q&A - Niamh Kelly|url=https://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/news/209295/aflw-eagles-qa-niamh-kelly|website=westcoasteagles.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-05-05}}{{Cite web|title=Irish Kelly sisters shine for AFLW Eagles - Nine Wide World of Sports|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/womens/irish-kelly-sisters-shine-for-aflw-eagles/aae95f5b-777e-4abb-8a88-36c02e78c4e1|website=wwos.nine.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-05-05}}{{Cite web|title=Mayo ladies stars sit tight in Australia|url=https://www.mayonews.ie/sports/35141-mayo-ladies-stars-sit-tight-in-australia|website=www.mayonews.ie|access-date=2020-05-05}} Making her debut in round 1, 2020 against {{AFLW|Col}}, Kelly was a part of West Coast's inaugural AFL Women's team.
In June 2022, both Kelly sisters left the Eagles; Niamh was traded to Adelaide, while Grace departed for {{AFLW|StK}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1145303/aflw-crows-complete-trade-deals|title=AFLW: Crows complete trade deals|publisher=Telstra|work=Adelaide|date=8 June 2022}}
Kelly had a career-best year in 2023. After winning the second-ever Showdown Medal awarded in the AFLW in round one of the season, Kelly recorded a personal-best 28 disposals and 99 AFL Fantasy points in round 8 against Brisbane. The following week, Kelly scored a match-winning goal against an in-form North Melbourne to secure her team a top-two finish and a home qualifying final.{{cite web|title=Crows snatch late win over North|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1458607/aflw-match-report-crows-snatch-late-win-over-north|last=Brown|first=Dani|date=29 Oct 2023}}
Kelly was rewarded for her outstanding form in 2023 with selection in the All Australian squad.
Personal life
Kelly is the sister of Adelaide player Grace Kelly. The pair grew up in Bohola in County Mayo.{{cite web |last1=Duffy |first1=Emma |title=Irish trio set to lead West Coast's line as Mayo Sister Act sign contract extensions |url=https://www.the42.ie/grace-niamh-kelly-west-coast-eagles-5166997-Aug2020/ |website=www.the42.ie |publisher=The42 |access-date=10 April 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Reilly |first1=Eliza |title=West Coast AFLW sister act Grace and Niamh Kelly reveal their journey from Bohola in Ireland to the Eagles |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/aflw/west-coast-aflw-sister-act-grace-and-niamh-kelly-reveal-their-journey-from-bohola-in-ireland-to-the-eagles-ng-b881831893z |website=www.thewest.com.au |publisher=The West Australian |access-date=10 April 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Wceplayer}}
- {{AustralianFootball|ref=Niamh%2BKelly/20905}}
{{Adelaide AFL Women's player squad}}
{{2023 AFL Women's All-Australian team}}
{{Inaugural West Coast AFL Women's team}}
{{Showdown Medal}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kelly, Niamh}}
Category:Mayo inter-county ladies' Gaelic footballers
Category:West Coast Eagles (AFLW) players
Category:Irish female players of Australian rules football
Category:Ladies' Gaelic footballers who switched code
Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in Australia
Category:21st-century Irish sportswomen
{{AFL-bio-1990s-stub}}