Bill Kelly, one of the best known names in Irish sports journalism over a period of 40 years, has died in Dublin at the age of 74.

He was appointed football correspondent of the Sunday Press on its launch in 1949 and under the pseudonym, Big Bill, he continued to write until his retirement some years ago.

A noted raconteur who was a popular personality at football grounds in the capital, he was the author of a book, My Dear and Darling Dublin, published in 1984.