Jimmy Kelly (1911 in Ballybofey, County Donegal, Ireland – November 1970) was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk.
As a youth Kelly played for several teams in the Derry and District League and also turned out for Newry Town.
However, he failed to make any senior appearances for the Reds and after over two years at the club, a disillusioned Kelly signed for Derry City for a fee of £100 in October 1930.
Kelly continued to play for City into the early 1950s, helping the club to their first Irish Cup success, a 3–1 victory over Glentoran in 1949.
Although Kelly spent most of his career with Derry City, during the mid-1940s he played a couple of seasons in the League of Ireland, first with Shamrock Rovers and then with Dundalk.
While on loan at Rovers he played alongside Peter Farrell, Tommy Eglington and Paddy Coad.
He made his debut for Rovers on 22 February 1942, scoring the only goal in a league game at St. James's Gate.
Kelly spent the 1946–47 season at Dundalk and finished as the club's top scorer, scoring 6 in the league, 1 in the FAI Cup and 10 in other competitions.
When Kelly began his international career in 1931 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations.
He made his debut on 5 May 1932 against the Netherlands and as a result became the first (Northern) Irish League player to play for an FAI XI.