Ballina Town F.C.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ballina Town | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Ballina Town Football Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | The Town | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1961 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ground | Belleek Park, Ballina | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capacity | 1,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chairman | Tommy Cooke | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manager | Michael McNicholas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| League | Mayo Super League Mayo Schoolboys/girls |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004-05 | Various | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Known affectionately locally as 'The Town', Ballina Town FC is a soccer club catering for the Ballina area in County Mayo, Republic of Ireland. The club was founded 8 December 1961 in Geraghty's public house, Ballina. Originally, the name of the club was to be 'St Patrick's F.C.' but six months later it was changed to 'Ballina Town F.C.'. The team colours are royal blue and white hooped jerseys, white shorts and royal blue socks. From the outset, the club's home matches were played at Belleek Park, which is still the club's ground today. Belleek Park consists of two playing pitches, which are amongst the finest playing surfaces in Connacht. Thanks mainly to Irish National Lottery funding, work commenced in 2004 on new changing rooms at Belleek Park. This development was used for the first time in February 2006.
In March 1990, Ballina Town played Shelbourne F.C. in the First Round of the FAI Cup. In doing so, they became they first club from County Mayo to play in the First Round of the competition.
Ballina Town has many different teams from U-11s up to the Junior team. It is this accent on youth development that has seen four players gain football scholarships to universities in America. Other ex-players of note include Noel Melvin, who went on to play for League of Ireland sides Monaghan United and Dundalk F.C. and former coach, Leo Tierney, won a Junior International Cap, when he played in goal for 'The Town'. In 2003, Ross Kenny was selected on the Irish U-12 panel for the Danone Nations Cup in Paris. In 2005, David Cawley was selected onto the Ireland U-15 team for two friendlies against The Netherlands. He also played against Slovenia in 2006. In December 2006 Cawley signed a contract with English Championship side, Ipswich Town F.C., which will see him move to them later in 2007.
On 15 August 2004 the Ballina Town U-12 'A' team won the Mayo Cup Final when they defeated Castlebar Celtic, 1 - 0. The winning goal was scored with ten minutes remaining from prolific striker, Fintan Donnellan.
The youths section of the club launched their own website in August 2006. www.ballinatownyouths.com
