Ballina Town F.C.
| Full name | Ballina Town Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Town | ||
| Founded | 8 December 1961 | ||
| Ground | Belleek Park, (Home pitch is 'Pete Murray Pitch') Ballina | ||
| Chairman | Gerry Knight | ||
| Manager | Eamon Kenny (Interim) | ||
| League | Mayo Super League | ||
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Ballina Town F.C. is a football 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.'; locally the club is referred to as 'The Town'. Traditionally, the team colours were pale blue shirts and white shorts although royal blue and white shirts are used now. 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 and a flood-lit all-weather pitch. The main pitch – the Pete Murray Pitch – is among 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. The clubhouse was officially opened by John Delaney, CEO, the FAI on 21 July 2008. Work commenced on an all-weather facility in Belleek in December 2010 and it was first used in January 2011.
In March 1990, Ballina Town were defeated 0–4 by Shelbourne 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 FAI Senior Cup.
Ballina Town has many different teams from U-8s 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 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., and he joined them in August 2007. In July 2010, it was announced that Cawley would wear the No.31 Jersey for Ipswich Town in the Championship 2010/11.
The Ballina Town Senior team finally got their hands on the Elverys Sports Mayo Super League title in 2009 and in doing so they ended a 20-year wait to become Mayo's top team again. Two decades of wishing, waiting and wondering had passed since Noel Walsh and his Ballina Town team-mates travelled home from Urlaur one sunny 1989 evening, happy in the knowledge that they were the best team in Mayo. On Sunday 15 November 2009, as evening drifted in over the Moy, Tom O'Connor got his hands on the big silver cup and the 20-year gap had been bridged.
2010 saw the club recapture the title with a win over title rival Westport United. An injury time strike from John Mountany helped the Town to 2-1 win. This was followed one week later by a 4-3 victory away to the then second placed Erris United. A Benny Lavelle hatrick and some heroic defending left the team needing a home win against Swinford to claim back to back titles. A large crowd gathered in Belleek Park on 26 September 2010 to see Derick Tansey lift the Super League Trophy after the side's 11th consecutive victory, 4-0 over Swinford, which ensured the team's 100% home record in the league campaign. The League victory was preceded by a second successive Westaro Cup victory - a 2-1 win over Manulla. Talisman Tom O Connor scored a late winner in the Milebush Final.
Chris Doherty was labeled as the "Judas" of Ballina Town when he completed a shock transfer to rival club Conn Rangers in 2012. Chris still receives hate mail and death threats following the move.
The senior men's team is currently sponsored by Brennan's Lane Bar in Ballina
The current top scorer for the 2013 season is Ryan Keane with 14 goals.