Ballingarry A.F.C.

Ballingarry A.F.C.
Full nameBallingarry Association Football Club
Short nameBallingarry
FoundedFebruary 1984 (1984-02)
GroundThe Paddocks, Ballingarry, County Limerick
Capacity200 (seated)
LeagueLimerick Desmond League
Websitewww.ballingarryafc.com

Ballingarry Association Football Club is an amateur Irish football (soccer) club from Ballingarry, County Limerick, Ireland. Founded in 1984, their senior men's team competes in the Limerick Desmond League.[1][2]

History

Ballingarry A.F.C. was formed in February 1984. The club decided to enter a team in the Limerick Desmond League for the 1984–85 season and chose yellow and green as the club's colours. Their first home ground was known as the ‘Canon's Field’ after the land was secured by an archdeacon. The club's first team started at Division 2B of the league and their first competitive game was held on 2 September 1984. The match, played away in Askeaton against the local B team, ended with a 4–3 victory.[3]

Club crest

Following the club's Annual General Meeting in June 1989, a crest for the club was researched and designed.[3] The crest is divided into three sections, the top scroll showing the name of the club and the year of the formation of the club.[3]

The middle section is a shield subdivided into 3 parts and joined by a football. The top section depicts a hill, and is a reference to Knockfierna hill, a local landmark. In the lower left section is a lion, which is the DeLacy Desmond crest, who were the one-time owners of Ballingarry Castle, which is shown in the lower right section. On the bottom scroll is the Latin phrase "Meritis Augentur Honores" ("Rewards Increase With Effort").

Ground

The club play their home games at the Paddocks.[4][5]

By August 1998, the first spectator stand in the ground had been built.[6] 200 seats were installed in 2022 and the stand was also renamed the James Clancy Stand after club secretary and founding member, James Clancy.[7][8][9] In 2025, the club began the process of resurfacing the grass pitch with artificial turf.[10]

The ground also houses a separate 50m x 22m artificial turf pitch, referred to as Astropark Ballingarry. The pitch was renovated in August 2020 and is used for training, 5-a-side and 7-a-side games.[11][12]

Roll of honour

Ballingarry A.F.C. has had several successes in the Desmond League. The first silverware won was when the team won the Division 3 League title for season 1985/86. Further success came with victory in the Munster Junior Area Cup in 1988/89. Other competitions and honours won by the club include:[13][14][15]

  • 1985/86 – Division 3 League Champions
  • 1987 – Park United Tournament Winners
  • 1988/89 – Munster Junior Cup Area Winners
  • 2001/02 – Desmond Cup Winners
  • 2002/03 – Division 1 League Champions
  • 2003/04 – Premier Division League Champions (won play-off)
  • 2006/07 – Desmond Cup Winners
  • 2007/08 – Division 1 Double Winners (League & League Cup)
  • 2008/09 – Division 3 League Champions (B Team)
Ballingarry A.F.C. honours
Honour No. Years
Limerick Desmond Football League Premier Division 1 2003–04
Desmond Cup 2 2001–02, 2006–07

Notable players

Republic of Ireland U21 internationals

References

  1. ^ "Limerick Desmond League - Results". limerickdesmondfootballleague.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Killarney Athletic score four goals against Ballingarry to reach FAI Junior Cup last 64". Irish Independent. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "History of Ballingarry AFC". ballingarryafc.com. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Limerick Sports Partnership - Directory - Ballingarry AFC". limericksports.ie. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  5. ^ "Ballingarry AFC - Limerick Desmond Football League". limerickdesmondfootballleague.com. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Photo Gallery // Home Grounds | Ballingarry AFC". ballingarryafc.com. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  7. ^ "James Clancy R.I.P. | Ballingarry AFC". ballingarryafc.com. 9 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  8. ^ Doherty, Cathal (4 September 2022). "In Pictures: Limerick soccer club honours founding members with new renovations". limerickleader.ie. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  9. ^ "Ballingarry AFC founder members commemorative day | Ballingarry AFC". ballingarryafc.com. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  10. ^ "Ballingarry AFC - Astro Development Update". Ballingarry AFC. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025 – via facebook.com.
  11. ^ "PST Sport Pitch Projects Completed in 2020". PSTSport.com. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Astroturf Training Pitch | Ballingarry AFC". ballingarryafc.com. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Club History and Honours". ballingarryafc.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  14. ^ "League Cup Glory | Ballingarry AFC". ballingarryafc.com. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  15. ^ "Glory Glory Ballingarry | Ballingarry AFC". ballingarryafc.com. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  16. ^ "Championship provides best insight into Irish quality". independent.ie. Irish Independent. 29 July 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2023. The Rotherham United squad [..] includes Anthony Forde [..] Forde, 24, from Ballingarry AFC in Limerick, played briefly for Wolves

52°28′11″N 8°52′11″W / 52.46972°N 8.86972°W / 52.46972; -8.86972

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