Green and white football at The Landing Field
Ballincollig AFC links a 1974 foundation with landmark youth success, a full age pathway and a secure home at The Landing Field.
Fifty years of green and white football
Ballincollig AFC was founded in 1974 and has grown from one team into a volunteer led community club serving Ballincollig and west Cork. The green and white identity runs through every age group.
The club combines a proud history with a clear invitation for new players and families.
| Founded | 1974 |
|---|---|
| Community | Ballincollig, County Cork |
| Colours | Green and white |
| Structure | Volunteer led club |
The Landing Field home
The Landing Field at Powdermills is Ballincollig AFC’s principal home. The club also uses Ballincollig Regional Park, giving teams access to playing areas in and around the town.
The Landing Field takes its name from aircraft that once landed near the Powder Mills during the area’s military history.
| Primary ground | The Landing Field |
|---|---|
| Address | Powdermills, Ballincollig, Cork |
| Additional venue | Ballincollig Regional Park |
| Town | Ballincollig |
A first league and cup chapter
Ballincollig won its first league, the AUL Division Three title, in 1974 to 1975. The first cup followed with the County Cup in 1975 to 1976, setting a competitive tone for the club’s early years.
Local success established a platform for the youth, junior and senior sections that followed.
| First league | AUL Division Three, 1974 to 1975 |
|---|---|
| First cup | County Cup, 1975 to 1976 |
| Long term record | League and cup honours across generations |
The 2016 All Ireland youth cup
The youth section reached one of its landmark moments by winning the All Ireland National Youth Cup in 2016. That achievement sits alongside the club’s record of developing players who have represented Cork, Munster and Ireland.
The cup win remains a reference point for the standards the pathway can reach.
| Major youth honour | All Ireland National Youth Cup |
|---|---|
| Year | 2016 |
| Player pathway | Cork, Munster and Ireland representation |
Academy from age five
The academy welcomes boys and girls from five years old, introducing football through fun, supportive sessions. Academy training uses the Landing Field and, in winter, the all weather pitch at Gaelcoil Uí Ríordáin.
New members are welcome and families can speak with a coach at a Saturday session.
| Entry age | From five |
|---|---|
| Academy managers | Dave Sweeney and Paul Lynch |
| Saturday sessions | Age group times vary |
| Winter venue | Gaelcoil Uí Ríordáin, Carriganarra |
Schoolboys and schoolgirls pathway
Ballincollig provides schoolboys football from under 11 to under 16 and a schoolgirls route that includes under 14 and under 15 players. Teams train at venues assigned by age group and play across Cork youth competitions.
Ask the relevant manager about current places, training times and the best entry point for a new player.
| Schoolboys | Under 11 to under 16 |
|---|---|
| Schoolgirls | Under 14 and under 15 pathway |
| Training | Team dependent |
| Welcome | New members welcome |
Youth and adult football
The senior section includes youths aged 16 to 18, junior men, senior ladies and an over 35s men’s team. The Landing Field and Regional Park support the main sections, while the over 35s play at Mayfield AFC Sports Grounds.
This age range gives players a route from academy football into adult teams and continued participation.
| Youths | 16 to 18 |
|---|---|
| Junior men | Regional Park |
| Senior ladies | Adult pathway |
| Over 35s | Mayfield AFC Sports Grounds |
Green and white club identity
Green and white are the colours worn with pride across Ballincollig AFC. The crest places local heritage symbols within a quartered shield, linking the club’s football identity to the town’s landmarks and history.
The colours and crest provide a shared identity from the youngest academy players through the adult teams.
| Home colours | Green and white |
|---|---|
| Crest symbols | Tower, boar, cannon and stone gate |
| Founded mark | 1974 |
A club built by volunteers
The club’s growth has depended on committee members, coaches, fundraisers, grounds volunteers, sponsors and families. Their work supports football opportunities across age groups and keeps the Landing Field active for the community.
Volunteering, sponsorship and matchday support all contribute to the club’s next chapter.
| Support roles | Coaches, managers and committee |
|---|---|
| Ground work | Pitch maintenance and facilities |
| Community | Families, members and sponsors |
Ground ownership and future facilities
A long campaign for secure tenure at the Landing Field reached a major step with a long term lease agreement in 2025. The agreement gives the club a stronger base for future facility investment and grant applications.
The home ground can now support a more confident development plan for players and the wider Ballincollig community.
Registration and joining
Online registration is available through the FAI COMET route for children aged ten and older and for adult members. Academy membership is arranged directly with academy directors or coaches at training.
Sheila O’Riordan can help with registration questions and membership administration.
| Online route | FAI COMET for age 10 plus and adults |
|---|---|
| Academy | Arrange directly at training |
| Secretary | Sheila O’Riordan, 086 457 7830 |
| Ballincolligafcsec@gmail.com |
Training information
Academy sessions run on Saturday mornings with age group times arranged across the Gaelcoil Uí Ríordáin pitches. Schoolboys, schoolgirls and senior teams use team specific schedules, so each family should contact the relevant manager before attending.
Bring boots, shin guards, water and suitable weather gear, and confirm the venue on the day.
Contacts across the club
Ballincollig has named contacts for club administration, academy coaching, child welfare, pitch maintenance and each age group. The right contact can answer questions about places, fees, registration and training.
A concise message with the player’s date of birth and football experience helps the club direct the enquiry quickly.
| Secretary | Sheila O’Riordan, 086 457 7830 |
|---|---|
| Academy | Dave Sweeney or Paul Lynch |
| Child protection | Vicky Keating |
| Pitch maintenance | Shane O’Neill |
A welcoming Cork pathway
From the 1974 foundation and early AUL honours to the 2016 youth cup and today’s academy, Ballincollig AFC offers a continuous green and white pathway. The Landing Field remains the meeting point for football, volunteering and community pride.
New players, families and volunteers can find a place in the club by starting with the relevant coach or secretary.