Coach Kell’s 500th Game

Beloved Abington football coach celebrates 500th game.

Coach Kelliher on Reilly Field during his 500th game ceremony on October 8, 2021.

Bill Marquardt

Coach Kelliher on Reilly Field during his 500th game ceremony on October 8, 2021.

Kayden Lynch, Copy Editor

On October 8, the Green Wave football team not only faced off against our long-time rival, the Rockland Bulldogs, but also celebrated Coach Kelliher’s 500th game of coaching the team.

Aside from growing up in Abington and playing football for the high school, Coach Jim Kelliher has been head coach of the Abington High Football for almost 50 years.

Kelliher is a figure that many other coaches and players from surrounding towns look up to and see as an idol. “We love Coach Kell” says quarterback Eddie Reilly in an interview towards the beginning of the football season. “Couldn’t ask for a better coach, couldn’t ask for a better leader.”

Coach Kelliher was recently named Coach of the Year in the Tobin Division during his 47th season of coaching.

Despite the Green Wave’s loss, Kelliher was still given an unforgettable ceremony celebrating his 500th game prior to the Friday night game. Joined by Kelliher’s old players, friends, family, and even his old coach, the town of Abington honored Coach Kelliher with a pre-game ceremony on the Frolio football field.