Kelly played for Donegal in the 1987 Ulster Senior Football Championship but had trouble establishing himself in other seasons due to the presence of Gary Walsh, who would play as goalkeeper for the county's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship-winning team five years later. Thus, 1987's championship was Kelly's only involvement as a player in that competition.[1]
^"Callaghan was worthy understudy". 27 July 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012. At the opening of the new pitch facilities in Urris in '91, Paul played in goal for an Inishowen select against Donegal. His performance caught the eye of Brian McEniff who was on the look-out at the time for a No. 2 to Gary Walsh… Danny Gallagher of Dungloe and Michael Kelly from Four Masters had been previously squad members. Now McEniff was offering the chance to an Inishowen man.