Educated at Ampleforth College and Trinity College Dublin, Kelly served in the First World War as a Lieutenant with the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force (originally as an observer, but later as a pilot) and was awarded the Military Cross, before returning to Dublin University to complete his degree in 1919, eventually becoming a barrister.[1]
He made his debut for Ireland the year after leaving university, playing against Scotland[3] in a first-class match in July.[4] Matches against the Irish Military and Scotland followed in 1921, and he began to become a more regular member of the Irish side in 1923.[3]
He still played the occasional match for the university, playing against the West Indies in 1923[1] and a first-class match against Essex in 1922.[4] He played matches for Ireland against Scotland and Wales in 1923, and against Scotland and the MCC in 1924.[3]
He continued as a regular in the Irish team over the next six years, playing internationals against Scotland, Wales and the West Indies in addition to several matches against the MCC.[3] His last first-class match was in June 1930 against Scotland[4] and his last match for Ireland was in August 1930 against the MCC.[3]