Heineken ace bows out in winning style

The 33-year-old veteran of 67 Heineken Cup battles wore the famous red shirt for the last time in the Magners League clash against Connacht at Musgrave Park on Thursday, 27 December, and, while wearing the captain's armband, led his side to a 17-nil win in blustery conditions.

The second highest scoring Munster player in Heineken Cup history with 14, Kelly figured in three European finals, including the remarkable triumph at the Millennium Stadium in 2006.

Perhaps his most famous score was the quarter-final clinching fourth try in the 80th minute of the 'Miracle Match' victory over Gloucester at Thomond Park in 2003. That was his second try of the day and gave Munster the 27 point victory they needed to pip their English rivals to a runners-up spot in the last eight.

Another great score came in the 2002 semi-final against Toulouse in Beziers, his 83rd minute effort clinching victory, and he also scored on his Heineken Cup debut against Cardiff on 27 September, 1997.

After that he turned himself into Munster's 'Mr Consistency', playing in 67 of his team's 76 fixtures over a remarkable 10 year period. It is no co-incidence that when Munster reached their three finals, Kelly played in all nine games in each season.
Having battled back from a knee injury sustained in a pre-season friendly against the Saracens, Kelly is bowing out tonight after his first Magners League outing of the season - and four days before his contract with Munster expires.

He marked his international debut for Ireland with two tries against Italy and won 17 caps for his country. He also appeared in two Celtic Cup finals with Munster - a defeat against Leinster in 2001 and a win over Neath in 2002.

With New Zealand legend Doug Howlett set to arrive in Ireland to link-up with the Munster squad this weekend, Kelly's place in this season's Heineken Cup squad is likely to go to the Kiwi ace. Howlett will have a hard act to follow.