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Kelly has a cut during the win over Wales in Cork. Morgan Treacy/INPHO

Ireland U20 centre Kelly signs with Leicester Tigers

The 18-year-old has played in a powerful Ireland U20 midfield alongside Hayden Hyde this year.

POWERFUL IRELAND U20 star Dan Kelly will join Leicester Tigers for next season.

Still just 18, the Manchester-born centre has played a big role in helping Noel McNamara’s side mount another title charge in this year’s U20 Six Nations before the tournament was postponed due to the pandemic.

Kelly, who has previously been on the books with Burnley FC, was registered with Loughborough University for this season, but has been snapped up by Tigers for 2020/21.

“Dan is a no-nonsense, talented young player who we are delighted to have joining the club next season,” says head coach Geordan Murphy.

Archive>> U20 centre Dan Kelly well-equipped for whirlwind rise

Kelly, who was also previously in the Sale Sharks academy, said of his move:

“They breed success over the years and hopefully I can follow in the footsteps of those who have been before me.

“They are building something special at Tigers, you can tell, and the demands are that if you are lucky enough to be there, you’re there for a reason and have got to put 100% and always do everything you can to improve yourself and improve Leicester as a collective.”

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    Mute #JUSTICE4NOEL
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    Mar 30th 2020, 7:48 PM

    Dan Leavy returning soon will be huge for Leinster and Ireland. The best forward in the country when healthy and a challenger with Underhill and Curry for those 2 lions flanker positions.

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    Mute Sean Fahey
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    Mar 30th 2020, 10:20 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: I’m very excited to see him come back too and, sadly, will be hopeful that he is the same player when he gets back.

    The Leinster medical team are excellent at managing rehab, very few if any players with recurring injuries, I’m optimistic that he will be.

    Will Conners might be focused on as a 6 such is the depth at 7.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Apr 1st 2020, 12:09 PM

    @Sean Fahey: Leavy could be a highly effective 6 too. He’s not a renowned jumper in the lineout but he can do everything else, and offers serious balance to any backrow, in similar ways that SOB did in previous years. Touch wood he comes back as the same player, as you said, the Leinster medical team have a good track record. Keen to see where Leavy and Conan will fit from an Irish perspective now Doris and Deegan have got their breakthroughs aswell.

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    Mute Jamie Bent
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    Mar 30th 2020, 6:57 PM

    That drop still haunts me. Better team lost that day!

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    Mute Sean Fahey
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    Mar 30th 2020, 7:13 PM

    @Jamie Bent: Ulster were immense that day but every now and then you either ride your luck a little bit or run out of it completely. It’s up there with Fofanas bicep alright.

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    Mute Kevin
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    Mar 30th 2020, 10:04 PM

    @Jamie Bent: I’d dare say it still haunts stockdale too. He hasn’t been good since.

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    Mute Oval Digest
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    Mar 31st 2020, 9:34 AM

    Two things stand out to me from a Leinster POV re-watching this -

    It’s such a shame Adam Byrne has never really kicked on. Immense physical gifts but just seems to be lacking something to really cement his place. Rumours that he’s off at the end of the season too.

    Secondly, Ross Byrne really is a big game player. Might not have the athleticism of his bro or even Sexton, but he never lets Leinster down in Europe. He has had by far the better outcome from the Carbery move so far.

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Mar 30th 2020, 7:42 PM

    It was a great performance for year one, of a 3 year plan. Year 2 and in play off spot in league, and Q final in Europe is nice showing, who knows where it will end, but certainly on target to be in finals and aiming for silverware in year 3.

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    Mute acallkelly
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    Mar 31st 2020, 11:54 AM

    I hope Dan Leahy will be given time to get to his own high standard, Leinster supporters will give him the space, not sure about the rest of chattering classes though !

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    Mute PScald
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    Apr 1st 2020, 5:16 PM

    @acallkelly: you’re right Leinster supporters are just superior people.. I heard theyre close to a vaccine

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