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Football

01st May 2022

Georgie Kelly scores on Rotherham debut to secure promotion

Luke Jennings

Georgie Kelly makes an instant impact.

Georgie Kelly scored Rotherham United’s second goal in a 2-0 win against Gillingham at Priestfield Stadium to seal promotion to the Championship.

The former Bohemians striker came on in the 80th minute to make his League One debut for the Millers only to make an instant impact.

Georgie Kelly Rotherham promotion

Kelly’s goal seals Rotherham’s promotion.

Heading into the final day of the season, only three points separated the top three clubs in League One. Wigan Athletic, Rotherham, and MK Dons were on 89, 87, and 86 points respectively.

Anything less than three points would have resulted in Rotherham finishing outside the automatic promotion places as third place MK Dons were 5-0 up against Plymouth Argyle.

The Millers were narrowly leading the game 1-0 when Kelly was brought on by Rotherham boss Paul Warne.

Chiedozie Ogbene won the ball on the right wing in the 89th minute to play the ball into the path of the onrushing Kelly. The 25-year-old rifled his shot past Gillingham goalkeeper Aaron Chapman to send the Millers support into raptures behind the goal.

The Donegal native will be hoping to build on his positive end to Rotherham’s campaign next season in the Championship.

The Irish influence in League One.

Elsewhere, Wigan finished top of League One after Will Keane scored a brace in a 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town. The Irish international finished the season as the top goalscorer in the division with 26 goals.

Keane, James McClean, and Jamie McGrath will be Championship players next season alongside Kelly and Ogbene of Rotherham.

MK Dons will be hopeful of winning promotion through the play-offs after their third-place finish. Troy Parrott, Conor Coventry, and Warren O’Hora have been instrumental for the Dons this season as they aim to join Wigan and Rotherham in England’s second-tier next season.

Georgie Kelly Rotherham promotion

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