Patience a virtue as Kelly awaits chance

THE question takes Stephen Kelly by surprise but the answer is delivered honestly.

So Stephen, how would you assess your Ireland career so far?

“Assess it?” the Fulham defender replies, before pausing for thought. “A little bit sporadic. I’ve been consistently in the squad since I was 19. I’ve been in the squad a long time now but I don’t think I’ve played as many games as I would have liked or probably should have. Hopefully now I’ll be given a chance to play more.”