Yellow and black football at the Curragh
Ballinasloe Town AFC connects youth development, adult football and a multi pitch community ground at the Curragh Grounds in County Galway.
Football in Ballinasloe
Ballinasloe Town AFC has served the town since 1951. Based at the Curragh Grounds, the club brings yellow and black colours, youth football and adult competition together in one of the west of Ireland’s strongest community football settings.
The Town gives local players a place to start, develop and stay involved through football.
| Town | Ballinasloe |
|---|---|
| County | Galway |
| Province | Connacht |
| Founded | 1951 |
The Curragh Grounds home
The Curragh Grounds in Brackernagh are the home of Ballinasloe Town AFC. The site includes grass pitches, floodlit artificial pitches, clubhouses and a spectator stand, creating a strong base for youth and adult football.
Confirm the pitch, entrance and parking arrangements before travelling.
| Ground | The Curragh Grounds |
|---|---|
| Address | Brackernagh, Ballinasloe, County Galway |
| Facilities | Grass and floodlit artificial pitches |
| Travel | Confirm pitch and arrival |
Yellow and black identity
Yellow and black are the colours associated with Ballinasloe Town AFC. The shield badge includes two footballs and a black lion, with 1951 on the ribbon, giving the club a strong visual link to its history.
Ask the team contact about current kit requirements before attending.
| Colours | Yellow and black |
|---|---|
| Badge themes | Two footballs and black lion |
| Established | 1951 |
| Kit | Confirm current requirements |
Building football at the Curragh
Ballinasloe Town has grown through the work of players, coaches and volunteers who developed teams and facilities over many years. The club’s history includes an amalgamation with Dubarry Apache and the long service of people who coached, managed and cared for the grounds.
The club’s strength comes from people who keep improving football for the next generation.
| Community | Players, coaches and volunteers |
|---|---|
| Development | Teams and facilities |
| Legacy | Long service at the Curragh |
The Font Egan Stand
In 2021 the club named its spectator stand the Font Egan Stand, recognising 45 years of service by Font Egan. He helped with the youth committee, managed teams and worked on the grounds.
The stand keeps a local football contribution visible on matchdays.
| Honour | Font Egan Stand |
|---|---|
| Recognised service | 45 years |
| Contribution | Youth, adult teams and ground work |
Four Connacht Cup wins
Ballinasloe Town AFC won the Connacht Cup in 2003 to 2004, 2012 to 2013, 2013 to 2014 and 2016 to 2017. Consecutive victories in 2013 and 2014 form the centre of a strong regional cup story.
These honours give current teams a clear link with the club’s competitive tradition.
| Honour | Connacht Cup |
|---|---|
| Wins | Four |
| Seasons | 2003 to 2004, 2012 to 2013, 2013 to 2014 and 2016 to 2017 |
| Highlight | Consecutive wins in 2013 and 2014 |
Youth football from age four
The club describes football for children aged four through eighteen, supported by volunteer coaches. This broad age range gives players a place to begin with simple skills and continue into more competitive teenage football.
Families can ask about the current group and the best first session.
| Entry | Age 4 |
|---|---|
| Pathway | Children through age 18 |
| Support | Volunteer coaching |
| Next step | Ask about registration |
Boys and girls competition
Current Galway football programmes include boys and girls competition for Ballinasloe Town. Girls under 13 and under 18 activity sits alongside the boys pathway, giving more players a local route into organised football.
The right group depends on age, experience and current squad needs.
| Boys | Youth competition |
|---|---|
| Girls | Under 13 and under 18 examples |
| Development | Skills, teamwork and confidence |
Adult football
Adult football remains part of the Ballinasloe Town programme, with Roscommon league participation recorded in recent seasons. Players can move up from youth football, return after a break or join from another club.
A first enquiry should include experience and availability so the club can suggest the right team.
| Section | Adult football |
|---|---|
| League setting | Roscommon league activity |
| Entry routes | Youth progression, returners and new players |
| Enquiry | Ask about current training |
A route to higher levels
Ballinasloe Town has helped players move into wider football opportunities. Former Town player Heather Payne progressed to senior international football and later returned to help at a club training session, creating a strong example for young players.
Local football can be the beginning of a much wider journey.
| Pathway example | Heather Payne |
|---|---|
| Progression | Club football to senior international level |
| Community link | Returned to support a training session |
A strong facility base
The Curragh Grounds have developed into a multi pitch football setting with two grass pitches, two floodlit artificial pitches, clubhouses and a spectator stand. The site has also hosted representative football and national youth activity.
Facilities give teams more reliable options for training across the week.
| Pitches | Two grass and two artificial |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Floodlit surfaces |
| Facilities | Clubhouses and spectator stand |
| Use | Youth, adult and representative football |
Volunteer led football
Coaches, committee members, parents, grounds staff and matchday helpers keep Ballinasloe Town active. Their work covers communication, equipment, player welfare, pitch preparation and the many tasks that allow teams to train and compete.
Volunteering gives people a direct way to strengthen football in Ballinasloe.
| Roles | Coaching, management and committee work |
|---|---|
| Ground | Pitch care and equipment |
| Benefit | More opportunities for local players |
Planning a first visit
Before visiting the Curragh Grounds, confirm the team, session time, pitch, entrance and parking. Bring boots, shin guards, water and weather layers, and ask about changing, toilets and accessible entry. Different surfaces may require different footwear.
Clear information helps a new player arrive prepared and confident.
| Confirm | Team, time, pitch and entrance |
|---|---|
| Bring | Boots, shin guards, water and layers |
| Ask about | Parking, changing, toilets and access |
| Surface | Check grass or artificial pitch |
Joining Ballinasloe Town
A first enquiry should include the player’s age or date of birth, football experience and preferred section. The club can explain training, registration, fees, kit and current squad places.
Wait for the team contact to confirm the correct session before attending.
| Include | Age or date of birth |
|---|---|
| Mention | Experience and preferred section |
| Confirm | Training, registration, fees and kit |
| Next step | Receive session details |
A complete Ballinasloe pathway
Ballinasloe Town AFC connects youth football from age four, boys and girls competition, adult teams and a strong community facility at the Curragh Grounds. Yellow and black colours unite the club while its Connacht Cup history gives players a proud local reference point.
For families in Ballinasloe, the club offers a practical way to start, progress or return to organised football.
| Home | The Curragh Grounds |
|---|---|
| Pathway | Children, youth and adult football |
| Identity | Yellow and black |
| Community | Ballinasloe and east Galway |
