Kelly eyes 10-goal return

ATHLETIC forward Dean Kelly has set himself a target of 10 goals in npower League One this season.

The confident Irish marksman (24), who started Tuesday night’s game against Shrewsbury Town, was prolific for amateur club Crumlin United back home.

And now he has become accustomed to training every day, Kelly thinks it is only a matter of time before he starts finding the net on a regular basis over here.

“In amateur football I was banging in two or three goals a game — it was almost too easy,” he said.

“I only trained a couple of times a week but now I am up to speed here I feel strong and ready for action.

Kelly was on trial at professional outfit Shamrock Rovers when a scout from Athletic spotted his potential.

Athletic boss Paul Dickov liked what he saw in a two-week trial and snapped him up on a six-month deal.

“As soon as I knew the manager was impressed and wanted to sign me, Oldham Athletic were the obvious choice over Shamrock, because every young fellow in Ireland wants to play in England,” said Kelly.

It could all have been different, had Kelly chosen a different path as a teenager. At 15 he had offers to play for Glasgow Celtic and both Sheffield sides. But he stayed to help his father’s business.