Mick Kelly departs Carlisle after promotion to League One

Former Bray Wanderers and Longford Town goalkeeper Mick Kelly will leave Carlisle United after playing a bit-part role in their promotion to League One.

Kelly joined Carlisle from Bray last summer but was unable to establish himself as first-choice in League Two this season.

However, he did play for the club in their EFL Cup games and was second-choice keeper to Tomas Holy.

He leaves the club alongside fellow Irishman Jamie Devitt – a player who endured an injury-hit campaign.

Both watched on from the stands as Carlisle claimed promotion to League One on Sunday at Wembley Stadium in a thrilling penalty shootout win over Stockport County.

“It isn’t a nice thing when you’re talking about letting players go but it’s the normal order that goes on at the end of the season,” Carlisle boss Paul Simpson said.

“We’re in a position as a football club where we’re trying to improve and get better. We’ve done absolutely fantastic this season to take ourselves to the next level, and that’s going to be a real challenge for us now that we’re there.

“I’ve had to make some tough decisions, we’ve discussed it all as a group of staff, and I’ve made the final call on it.”

Meanwhile, former Ireland under-21 Corey Whelan has been retained by the club after they triggered an extension to his current deal.