Ballingarry A.F.C.


Ballingarry A.F.C. is an amateur Ireland football club from Ballingarry, County Limerick, Ireland, the club was founded in February 1984 that currently competes in the Limerick Desmond League.

History

Although Ballingarry A.F.C. was only formed in 1984, soccer was played by many from the parish well before that date. In the late 1960s, a Ballingarry team played in and indeed contested the final of the Holycross tournament, with Jim Carmody, Pat Malone, Paddy Dunworth and Moss Doody being members of the side that was probably the very first soccer team to represent the parish.
The foundations for the club were most likely laid in 1974, when the under-12 team became the first to win a memento of any sort, finishing in the bronze medal position in the Community Games under the guidance of Dr. Michael Lucey. Many of this team went on to play for the junior team in the following decade. In the intervening years, players from the parish were playing for local clubs such as Deel United in Rathkeale, until such time as a junior team was in place. Many would also reference a 7-a-side tournament organised by Moss McAuliffe and Conor Snow in 1981 as another major step in bringing soccer to Ballingarry. It was run on an annual basis, and contributed greatly to the creation of a soccer community in the parish, as numbers of up to 100 were taking part.
The exact date that Ballingarry A.F.C. was formed is not recorded, however what is certain is that it was in February 1984, in the supper room, that Ballingarry Association Football Club was formed. After much discussion by a gathering of approximately 30 people, it was decided to enter a team in the Desmond District League for the coming season 1984/85. The following officers and committee were elected and entrusted with the task of getting the club off the ground, Chairman: Moss McAuliffe, Secretary: Noel Hayes, Treasurer: John Clancy, Committee: Joe Burke, James Clancy, James Cronin. The team manager was Moss McAuliffe, who was joined in the role by Moss Doody later that season. It was decided that the club's colours would be yellow and green, which with little variation, remain in place today.
With very little actual resources, the club set about raising funds to make the club solvent – up until this point the only item the club had in its possessions was the name Ballingarry A.F.C., nothing else. A sponsored walk was organised, money was generated, and a pitch was secured in large part thanks to the generosity of the late Archdeacon Lyons, and affectionately became known as the 'Canons Field'. During the course of the first season, the club moved home to a pitch supplied by the late Bernard Sheehy at the rear of the 'Grove'. All the necessary equipment was purchased, the club's application to the Desmond League was successful, and the aforementioned annual 7-a-side tournament was the basis for selection of the first Ballingarry A.F.C. squad. Finally, the parish was to have its very own soccer team, and the new season was awaited with great anticipation.
Ballingarry entered Division 2B of the Desmond District League, and the first Sunday in September 1984 was the momentous day on which the club played their first competitive game, in Askeaton against the local B team. Liam Casey had the honour of scoring the first goal for the club in competitive football, and the day had a happy ending with a 4–3 victory recorded. The line-up on that famous day was as follows: Shane Hartnett, John Clancy, Noel Hayes, John Murphy, Anthony Quaid, James Clancy, Liam Casey, Tommy Cronin, Ned Cagney, James Cronin, Noel Forde and Billy Hayes. A 'B' team was in place from 1989 until early 1993, but due to falling numbers could not be maintained, and the emphasis was placed once again on one squad of players.

The Club Crest

At the club's Annual General Meeting on 15 June 1989, the committee proposed the idea of a crest for the club, which was passed. The crest was researched by Mr. Patrick O' Doherty and designed by Paul Cassidy.
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, 1984.
The middle section is a shield subdivided into 3 parts and joined by a football, the symbol of football in the parish. The top section depicts a hill, and is a reference to Knockfierna hill, the historical local landmark which it was felt was appropriate to be represented on the crest. 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, and again it was thought appropriate to represent this on the crest. Finally in the bottom scroll is the Latin phrase "Meritis Augentur Honores" which when translated to English means "Rewards Increase With Effort". It was agreed that this would be a fitting club motto.
The crest is the official emblem of Ballingarry A.F.C. and is not the crest of Ballingarry village or parish.

Managers

Moss MacAuliffe 1984/85 to 1987/88

Moss was the club's first ever manager having been elected to the position at the formation meeting in February 1984. A highly respected person within the club who enjoyed much success while in the position. Took the club to the Division 2 League Cup semi final in the first year only to lose on penalties to Killeaney.
The following season he guided the club to their first ever honour when they lifted the inaugural Division 3 title. Another league cup semi final appearance was achieved that season before the team won promotion to the top flight in Desmond League football in the 1987/88 season. Resigned his position shortly after the start of the 1988/89 season before returning briefly to manage the club's "B" team in Division 3 during season 1989/90. Moss is a former club president while he has also held the position of chairman in the club.

Moss Doody 1984/85 to 1992/93

A truly knowledgeable football man and a real gentleman to boot, he shared the role of team manager with Moss MacAuliffe. Stayed on the selection committee in the wake of MacAuliffe's resignation, leading the side to the Munster Junior Cup Area title of 1988/89 and an appearance in the F.A.I. area final of the same year. Saw the club finish third three seasons in row in Division 1 in 1988/89, 1989/90 and 1990/91.
When the position of manager came up for decision at the start of season 1994/95, Doody opted now to seek the job. Has served on the committee as chairman and is currently the club president.

James Clancy 1988/89 to 1990/91 and 1993/94 to 1994/95

James joined the selection committee with Liam Fitzgerald and Ned Cagney after the departure of Moss MacAuliffe, enjoying the same success as Moss Doody. Returned to manage the team on his own the season after their first relegation in 1992/93, guiding the club back to top flight football as Division 1 runners-up in season 1993/94.
Resigned from the position on 10 September 1995. Was elected on the club's first ever committee in February 1984 and still on the committee in the role of Club Secretary.

Eddie Houlihan 1992/93

Managed the team for one season, a period during which they experienced their first relegation, 1992/93. Eddie took the side to their first ever League Cup final, in the Division 1 final of 1992/93 where Rathkeale defeated them 4–0.
Served on the club committee where he held the position of chairman.

Noel Forde 1995/96 to 1996/97

Came in at a difficult time for the club replacing James Clancy on 10 September 1995. Guided the club to their first ever Desmond Cup semi final when Adare United beat them 2–0 during his first season in charge but was unable to stop the side sliding back to the second division. Declared himself unavailable to act as manager after season 1996/97.
Served on the club's management committee.

Al Finucane 1997/98

The former Republic of Ireland international held the position for just one season.
Much was expected however the team failed to deliver.

Timmy O' Halloran 1999/2000 to 2001/02

The Charleville man proved to be an exceptional coach, laying the foundations for the team that won the Premier division title. During his second season he took the side to the fifth round of the F.A.I. Junior Cup, just the second time in the club's history.
However it was during his third term in charge that he delivered unprecedented success in the form of the Desmond Cup being won by Ballingarry for the first time. That same season the team lost out on the first division title by drawing their last game of the season while they also appeared in the League Cup final, a game they lost 2–4 to Creeves. Timmy went out on a high following the cup success.

George Quinlivan 2002/03 to 2008/09

The former Limerick United and Galway United player inherited the club's best ever squad and utilised their talents to the maximum. The first division title was secured in his first season at the helm and that was followed the next season by the ultimate honour, the club's first Premier Division title. He guided the team to the Premier Division League Cup final of 2004/05 but saw them lose 1–2 to Rathkeale.
He also guided the side to the fifth round of the FAI Junior Cup and the Munster junior cup fifth round on two occasions each where they were never beaten by more than a goal. In season 2006/07 he added the Desmond cup to his list of honours however the club experienced relegation in the same season. The following season he managed the team to the division 1 title and divisional league cup double, a first ever double for the club. His final season in charge saw the team finish fourth in the Premier. His five trophy haul represents the most successful period in the club's history.

James Higgins 2009/10 to present

James Higgins was appointed to the position of manager in July 2009 following the departure of George Quinlivan. Higgins is easily Ballingarrys most recognisable former players having made a record 363 A team appearances for the club during a career that spanned a 17-year period from 1984.
During his playing days, at which he was an outstanding centre half, he picked up numerous awards including Desmond league youth player of the year and won the Desmond Cup with Ballingarry in 2002. Management has also seen him achieve success with the ladies team and last season where he was assistant manager with the B team that won the Division 3 title.

Players

Patrick Kenerick
John O'Grady
Niall Cahill
Kieran Condron
Colm Kiely
Eoin Cahill
Michael Corrigan
Brian Fitzgerald
Darragh O'Grady
Shane Doherty
Colin Doherty
Eoin Ryan
Donal O'Grady
Eoin Kennedy
Marcus Moore
Niall Condron
Kevin Moynihan
David Clancy
Francis Kiely
Rory Alymer
Kevin Forde

Staff

Ballingarry A.F.C. has enjoyed its fair share of success in the Desmond League, both in its early years, and most recently since the turn of the millennium. The first silverware won was when the team swept to the Division 3 League title for season 1985/86, a tremendous achievement for a club so young. Another notable success was victory in the Munster Junior Area Cup in 1988/89.

Club honours

A full roll of honour for underage and senior sides is available here