Born in Mullinahone, County Tipperary, Kelly first played competitive hurling whilst at school in St Kieran’s College. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of fifteen when he first linked up with the Tipperary minor team as a goalkeeper, before later joining the under-21 side. He made his senior debut during the 2000 championship. Kelly had a lengthy career, and won two All-Irelandmedals, five Munster medals and two National Hurling League medals. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on three occasions.

At international level he has played for the composite rules shinty-hurling team. As a member of the Munster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions, he won two Railway Cup medals. At club level he is a one-time championship medallist with Mullinahone.

His brother, Paul Kelly, is also an All-Ireland medallist with Tipperary, while his first cousins, Niall and Ollie Moran had lengthy careers with Limerick.

Kelly’s career tally of 21 goals and 368 points ranks him as the third highest championship scorer of all-time. He remains Tipperary’s all-time top scorer.

Throughout his career Kelly made 63 championship appearances. His announced his retirement from inter-county hurling on 1 December 2014.

During his playing days, Kelly won six All-Starawards. He has often been voted onto teams made up of the sport’s greats, including at right corner-forward on a special Munster team of the quarter century in 2009.

Kelly has accepted a role as selector under Davy Fitzgerald for the Waterford senior hurling team for the 2023 season.