Derry in fight to keep Kelly

Shelbourne have made a bid to sign yet another player in preparation for their upcoming UEFA Cup campaign - but, this time, they have been refused.
Manager Dermot Keely has been told by Derry City that they are not going to release centre-half Darren Kelly, after the Reds made an offer for the 21-year-old.

Kelly, a native of the maiden city, has been capped at u-21 level by Northern Ireland, and has attracted interest from several clubs. Keely, naming his team of the year in the Irish Sun, opted for Kelly at centre-back.

The young defender made his debut for City in 1996 against Sligo Rovers at 16 years of age. He is widely tipped to have a big future in the game and his decision to play for Northern Ireland was made because he simply wants to get noticed.

If he made the move to Shels, Derry fans would be absolutely raging, as Kelly's partner in defence last season, Peter Hutton, has already left the club to join for Shels. Keely has also brought Jonathan Minnock and Brian Byrne - among others - to Tolka Park.