Night at the Bernabeu a dream come true for top ref Kelly

IRISH referee Alan Kelly described his night at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu on Tuesday as “a dream come true” after taking charge of Real Madrid’s 6-2 hammering of Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.

Kelly got the call over a week ago to take charge of his most prestigious game yet but was only able to enjoy his achievement yesterday as he made the journey home.

“I was elated after getting the appointment but I was trying to play it down in my own head in the week running up to the big game,” he said. “I was approaching it as I would any other game but when I look back now, I can say I took charge of a match at the Bernabeu, which is fantastic.”

Kelly praises his team of Irish officials, Damien McGrath and Mark Douglas, while David McKeon was fourth official, with Pádraig Sutton and Thomas Connolly the additional assistant referees.

“It’s fantastic for refereeing in this country and a great boost for the Airtricity League,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Ireland international Colin Healy’s Ipswich Town contract has been terminated by mutual consent. The 31-year-old was signed by former Tractor Boys’ boss Roy Keane from Cork City in the summer of 2009 for €100,000 but never really established himself at Portman Road, despite signing a one-year contract extension last summer. Healy’s only Championship appearance this season came in the 3-2 home defeat to Doncaster prior to the international break, where Healy was substituted after 27 minutes with Ipswich two goals down.