Former Republic of Ireland underage international Liam Kelly has reopened the door for a potential future international call-up.
Kelly, who has represented Ireland and under-19 and under-21 level, came close to gaining a senior cap when Martin O'Neill called him up for a double-header against Wales and Iceland in 2017.
However, Kelly withdrew from that squad due to injury and a year later, turned down another call-up, with O'Neill saying at the time that "he's born in England and wants to keep those options open and that's fine. I did actually leave a message or two and he got back to me by text."
Not long after, Kelly denied that this was the case, saying that "it was a personal thing between me and my family."
The midfielder expanded on the topic in an interview with the Irish Sun this week, in which he denied that O'Neill had gotten in touch with him.
"I’m not really sure where that came from," he said. "As a player, you get told by the club you’re getting called up.
"I only ever remember the club told me I got called up or I didn’t. I would never personally have spoken to anyone about it.”
Liam Kelly reopens door for Ireland call-up.
Now playing for Crawley Town, Kelly is preparing for a League Two play-off semi-final against MK Dons, and he hopes that promotion to League One could see him move back into the Ireland picture.
"It’s been quiet from Ireland with where I’m playing," he said. "When you’re doing really well in the Premier League or Championship, that’s when you are recognised.
“I wouldn’t expect a call-up now but if I can get into League One with Crawley, maybe there will be a chance.
"But I’ll have to be playing really well. I won’t just be watched because I’d be League One, everyone at Crawley will have to step up our performances a level.”
3 September 2013; Liam Kelly, Republic of Ireland. U19 International Friendly, Republic of Ireland v Slovenia, RSC, Waterford. Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE
Ireland late bloomers
At 28, Kelly is the same age as recent Ireland call-up Sammie Szmodics, and perhaps he can take inspiration from the Blackburn man and enjoy a late-career stint in green.
While Conor Hourihane and James McClean are recent examples of lower league players representing Ireland, both were well-established international players when they dropped down the leagues.
Should Kelly and Crawley get promoted to League One that would be a start, but one would suspect that he will need to catch the eye of at least a Championship club in order to get noticed by the next Ireland manager.
See Also: Ranking The Top 10 Irish Players Of The 2023/24 Season
