Kelly: No let-up tomorrow night
Kelly, who has now been involved in six play-offs, either as a player or coach, was a late call-up special guest at the PFAI annual awards dinner on Saturday night.
Former Manchester United and Ireland captain Roy Keane was to be the guest of honour at the event at Dublin’s Burlington Hotel but was forced to pull out due to a chestinfection.
“We’ll be positive going into the game, expecting a performance and expecting a result,” said Kelly ahead of what should be the first Aviva Stadium sellout under Trapattoni.
And despite the 4-0 first leg win over Estonia in Tallinn on Friday night, preparations for the second leg weren’t altered in the least.
“We got back at half four (onSaturday morning) and we were out on the training ground at 1pm,” said 34-times capped Kelly.
“Nothing changes. The team will be sent out with the same philosophy, to play and get a result. We’ve an unbelievable record over the last 23 (competitive) games, losing just two.
“Our goalkeepers have kept nine clean sheets in the last 10 games. It breeds a mentality into the squad, breeds a mentality into the team to go out and get a result.
“All players, past and present, will know the importance of getting aresult and Tuesday night will be no different. Mr Trapattoni has told us that Estonia will be playing with some pride.
“They’ll be a dangerous animal. So, hopefully, we’ll have a sellout on Tuesday and people will be expecting a performance and we want to get a result to see us through to the Euros.”
Kelly presented the Tissot-sponsored PFAI’s main Players’ Player of the Year award to Derry City’s Libyan international striker Eamon Zayed, who was the leading scorer, with 22 goals, as Derry finished third in the Airtricity League Premier Division this season.
The 28-year-old, who hopes to be part of Libya’s squad for the African Cup of Nations finals in the New Year, topped the players’ poll ahead of last year’s winner Richie Ryan and Eoin Doyle, both of Sligo Rovers, Dundalk’s Mark Quigley, Pat Sullivan of Shamrock Rovers and St Pat’s winger Daryl Kavanagh.
Shamrock Rovers’ Aston Villa-bound left-back Enda Stevens won the Young Player of the Year award.
Having also topped the poll last year, Graham Cummins once again won the First Division Player of the Year for his exploits in helping Cork City to promotion as champions. Cummins, who is attracting interest from cross-channel clubs, was the division’s top scorer with 24 goals.
Neil Doyle was named referee of the year while Fran Ray, longstanding honorary secretary of the Dublin and District Schoolboy League, was given a standing ovation whenreceiving the PFAI Merit Award.
The PFAI’s Overseas Player of the Year honour went to Richard Dunne, whose award was collected by his father Dick.
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