Kelly faces old friends in final

 

By Shane Brophy

 

Borris-Ileigh manager Johnny Kelly has strong connections with Sunday's county final opponents Kiladangan.

The Portumna native managed Kiladangan in 2013 and 2014, guiding them to a North title in his first year there. The Portumna link remains strong as his good friend and neighbour Sean Treacy is coach of the Kiladangan team aiming to deny Kelly another notable management success.

“We are from a small little place for Boula, just outside Portumna,” Kelly revealed.

“Our houses are literally half a kilometre and we grew up together so it will be interesting.

“We are neighbours and friends for life. Our fathers were friends before that.”

Wherever the Portumna native pitches tent with a club, success tends to follow.

Firstly with his native Portumna, he was a member of Jimmy Heverin's management team, which delivered Galway county titles in 2005 & 2007 along with All-Ireland club titles in 2006 and 2008. When Heverin moved on, Kelly assumed the reigns which can be a seen as poisoned chalice for some, taking over a winning team but under Kelly, Portumna completed back-to-back All Ireland club titles in 2009.

When Kelly’s time with Portumna came to an end, he ventured across the Shannon for the first time, becoming Kiladangan coach under manager Seamus Gleeson in 2013.

 

 

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