Kelly gets Royal seal of approval

Republic of Ireland right-back Stephen Kelly last night completed his move from Fulham to Reading on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The 29-year-old Dubliner signed for an undisclosed fee after completing his medical last night.

“I’m delighted to have Stephen here,” manager Brian McDermott said. “He’s the kind of player I’ve been talking about — someone with great experience, but at 29 still very young in football terms.

“I’ve always liked him as a player, and the first time I met him was at Kevin Doyle’s wedding a while ago now and I thought he was a top guy. I know he’s going to fit into the dressing room here really well. He’s up for the fight, up for the battle, he’s hungry, he wants to do well.”

Kelly had been at Craven Cottage since 2009, making 71 appearances. He has not signed in time to be in contention for a place in the squad this weekend but will be at Madejski Stadium to watch his new teammates take on West Brom today.

Meanwhile Airtricity League Premier Division champions Sligo Rovers did the double at the 2012 Airtricity/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland annual banquet last night, claiming the big two awards.

Sligo manager Ian Baraclough scooped the ‘Personality of the Year’ award after his successful title-winning campaign, while Gary Rogers was named ‘Goalkeeper of the Year’.

At the awards in Dublin’s Conrad Hotel, a special presentation was also made to former Ireland star Kevin Kilbane, who recently retired from the game having earned 110 international caps. And Bray Wanderers legend Pat Devlin was the recipient of the Airtricity/SWAI Special Merit Award for his outstanding service to Irish football.

Meanwhile, defender Neal Horgan has signed a new contract with Cork City for the 2013 season, the club confirmed last night.