Dermot Kelly competed in the men's trap shooting at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, making history as one of Ireland's first ever Olympic shooters when the sport made its Irish Olympic debut at those Games. A Kilcock-based garage proprietor, Kelly was among a small group of Irish shooters who travelled the world at their own expense to compete in clay pigeon events.
He delayed his departure to Mexico because of his professional commitments, made his own travel arrangements and paid £1,036 for his ticket alongside teammates Gerry Brady and Arthur MacMahon. In Mexico, he discovered a fault in his technique - his stance prevented him from shooting the low left-hand target on several occasions - but the experience was formative.
As team captain, Kelly identified the essential lessons: 'They now know how this competition must be approached. They know that concentration of the highest order is essential.'
Kelly went on to compete at Munich 1972 where he finished in 38th place.
Shooting
