Ex-Derry City star Darren Kelly takes up coaching role at Sunderland

Derry man Darren Kelly has taken up a coaching role with English Premiership club Sunderland.

The former Derry City central defender (pictured above) has been appointed coach of the Black Cats Academy side.

Following his appointment, the 35-year-old said he was "delighted to accept a fantastic opportunity to coach SunderlandAFC academy and help develop the budding stars of tomorrow." 

Kelly joined City from local junior side Trojans in 1996.

He left Brandywell in 2002 going on to play for Carlisle United and Portadown

He returned to spend a seaon with Derry in 2007 ahead of playing for York City for two years.

He returned to Northern Ireland in 2009 to rejoin Portadown.

Two years later, he went back to England to pay for Garforth Town  andFrickley Athletic.

Most recently he played for Scaroborough Athletic while carrying out a coaching role with York City.

He was capped 11 times for the Northern Ireland under-21s.