Kelleher was initially an outside back and then a back-row for much of his underage years. He then transitioned to prop, before finally settling on hooker.[1] He attended St. Michael's College, Dublin where his father was principal. His older brother Cian Kelleher is a fellow professional rugby union player.[2]
Kelleher received his first call up to the senior Ireland squad on 15 January 2020 for the 2020 Six Nations Championship. He made his debut as a replacement against Scotland on 1 February 2020.[6][7] Kelleher scored his first international try versus France on 14 February 2021 during the 2021 Six Nations.[8]
Kelleher tied the record for most tries scored by an Irish player in a test match, by scoring four tries for Ireland in a 71–10 victory over the United States on 10 July 2021.[9]
British & Irish Lions
Kelleher joined the 2021 British & Irish Lions pre tour training camp in Jersey, as informal cover for hooker due to the unavailability of touring hookers Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie. Kelleher was not added to the touring party at the time,[10][11] but was called up to the Lions squad in South Africa on 15 July.[12]
