John Riordan: It's all about educating next generation of referees for retiring Alan Kelly

After over two decades of a high level career on both sides of the Atlantic, a new chapter begins for Cork ref

Eight years ago, Alan Kelly relocated his wife and — at the time — two young children to the States for a new challenge after 14 years in the League of Ireland. In December, he called time on his career as an MLS referee. Picture: Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Alan Kelly will never forget his last match as a professional referee. And he still remembers his first one as a young amateur back home in Cork, newly qualified but inexperienced and wracked with fear.

The torrential rains that ruined the spectacle of the MLS Western Conference final at the start of December caused a little bit of chaos for him and his assistants. Just five minutes into the game, Felipe Mora gave Portland Timbers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish but what stands out for Kelly is that one of his assistant’s Jeremy Hanson bounced back up athletically from a dramatic slip, just in time to allow him dutifully verify that opening goal.