George Martin Kelly (born 12 November 1996) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for National League club Carlisle United.

Career

UCD

Kelly joined UCD after a brief stint with Derry City. In 2017, Kelly scored a hat-trick against, Athlone Town, securing the top scorer title for the season.Kelly played a crucial role, as UCD returned to the top flight of Irish football. Scoring 15 times in just 17, before departing for dundalk mid season.

Dundalk

After two and a half seasons in the First Division, Kelly signed with Premier Division club, Dundalk. He played his first European match against Estonian side, FCI Levadia Tallinn in the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds. He ended the 2018 season with the rare double of First Division (for UCD) and Premier Division (for Dundalk) winner's medals, and also won the FAI Cup.

During the 2019 season, Kelly and Dundalk narrowly missed out on the treble, following a penalty shootout in the 2019 FAI Cup Final against Shamrock Rovers.

Loan to St Patrick's Athletic

Kelly was loaned to St Patrick's Athletic for the remainder of the 2020 season on 28 July 2020. On 7 August 2020, he scored his first goals for the club, netting a brace as his side beat Finn Harps 2–0 at Richmond Park. His only other goal for the club came in a 3–2 loss away to Finn Harps on 29 October 2020.

Bohemians

On 22 December 2020, Kelly signed for Bohemians for the 2021 season. Kelly scored his first Premier Division hat-trick in a 5–1 victory against Dundalk. Following a successful first season at the club, Kelly was the league's top scorer with 21 goals including a late equaliser against Sligo Rovers in the final game of the season. He was later named in the team of the year. He helped the club reach the 2021 FAI Cup Final where they eventually lost to his former club, St Patrick's Athletic.

Rotherham United

In January 2022 he signed for EFL League One club Rotherham United. On 30 April 2022, Kelly scored the second goal in a 2–0 win for Rotherham over Gillingham which secured promotion to the Championship, having come on as a substitute 10 minutes beforehand to make his first team debut. He went on to score a total of 6 goals for the club in 51 appearances.

Carlisle United

On 1 February 2024, Kelly signed for EFL League One club Carlisle United for an undisclosed fee, on a three-and-a-half-year deal. He failed to score in 7 appearances by the end of his first half-season with the club as they were relegated to EFL League Two.

Career statistics

As of match played on 11 April 2026

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Derry City2015LOI Premier Division3000100040
UCD2016LOI First Division256101031307
2017LOI First Division26171010203017
2018LOI First Division171410001814
Total68372030517838
Dundalk2018LOI Premier Division70321010122
2019LOI Premier Division278524230424314
2020LOI Premier Division2020
Total368844240525716
St Patrick's Athletic (loan)2020LOI Premier Division12310133
Bohemians2021LOI Premier Division312131644026
Rotherham United2021–22League One110011
2022–23Championship2940020314
2023–24Championship1810010191
Total486003000516
Carlisle United2023–24League One7070
2024–25League Two185000000185
2025–26National League34122000103712
Total59172000106217
Career total25692165112104113305106

Honours

Dundalk

Rotherham United

Individual