Red and white football at Young’s Quarry
Ballisodare United connects youth development, adult football and a floodlit home ground in Ballisodare, County Sligo.
Football in Ballisodare
Ballisodare United has been part of local football since May 1975. Founded by Jim Browne, T J McManamon and Gerry O’Connell, the club grew through the Sligo Leitrim leagues and built a lasting place for children’s football in the village.
Young’s Quarry gives United a clear home for football across the week.
| Village | Ballisodare |
|---|---|
| County | Sligo |
| Province | Connacht |
| Founded | 1975 |
Young’s Quarry home
Young’s Quarry in Ballisodare is the club’s current football home. The site includes a full size floodlit artificial pitch, giving teams a reliable surface for training and matches.
Confirm the entrance, parking, changing rooms and access arrangements before travelling.
| Ground | Young’s Quarry |
|---|---|
| Address | Ballisodare, County Sligo, F91 YK76 |
| Facility | Full size floodlit artificial pitch |
| Travel | Confirm pitch and arrival |
Red and white identity
Red and white are the colours associated with Ballisodare United. The circular crest carries a tree, flowing water, a football and the year 1975, connecting the club with the village and the landscape around it.
Ask the coach about current kit requirements before attending.
| Colours | Red and white |
|---|---|
| Badge themes | Tree, water and football |
| Established | 1975 |
| Kit | Confirm current requirements |
The first side and the academy
Ballisodare United’s early teams grew through local leagues before the club formally began in 1975. Its first under 13 side followed in the 1979 to 1980 season, establishing a youth pathway that has remained central to the club.
The club’s history is closely tied to giving young players a place to learn football.
| Founded | 1975 |
|---|---|
| First youth side | Under 13 in 1979 to 1980 |
| Focus | Youth development and community football |
The Sports Field years
The Sports Field opened in August 1982 and gave Ballisodare United its first home ground. That move helped the club create a stable base for teams, coaches and families while it continued to grow.
A dependable home has always been important to the club’s progress.
| Ground opened | August 1982 |
|---|---|
| Role | First home ground |
| Community | Players, coaches and families |
Mini soccer for the village
In 1996 Michael Phelan started a mini soccer competition for boys and girls aged six to twelve. More than fifty children took part in the first year, and the competition continued for a decade alongside the wider academy.
That initiative helped make early football visible and welcoming in Ballisodare.
| Started | 1996 |
|---|---|
| Age range | Six to twelve |
| First year | More than fifty children |
| Legacy | Academy growth |
A Super League title
Ballisodare United won the Sligo Super League in 1991 to 1992. A five one victory over MCR completed the title campaign, with the club’s history recalling two important wins in the same weekend.
The title remains a key part of United’s adult football story.
| Honour | Sligo Super League |
|---|---|
| Season | 1991 to 1992 |
| Decisive result | Five one win over MCR |
| Level | Adult football |
Cup success
The roll of honour includes the 1983 to 1984 Division One title, successive under 13 league wins in 1981 to 1982 and 1982 to 1983, and the 2013 to 2014 Radisson Blu Cup. Ballisodare won that final four nil against Strand Celtic.
These achievements show a club with success across youth and adult teams.
| Division title | 1983 to 1984 |
|---|---|
| Youth titles | 1981 to 1982 and 1982 to 1983 |
| Cup | Radisson Blu Cup 2013 to 2014 |
| Final | Four nil against Strand Celtic |
Football for children
Ballisodare United describes football for children from age four. Early sessions can build coordination, confidence and enjoyment before players move into more structured age groups and competitive football.
Families should ask about the right group and current academy places.
| Entry | Age four |
|---|---|
| Focus | Fun, movement and basic skills |
| Next step | Ask about academy registration |
Boys and girls youth football
Current Sligo Leitrim youth programmes confirm boys and girls football for Ballisodare United. Players can develop through age groups while learning technique, teamwork and match awareness in a local setting.
The best starting point depends on age, experience and current squad needs.
| Boys | Youth competitions |
|---|---|
| Girls | Youth competitions |
| League area | Sligo and Leitrim |
| Development | Skills, teamwork and confidence |
Adult football
Adult men’s football remains part of the club, with Super League and Division One participation in the wider Sligo Leitrim structure. Players can move up from youth football, return after a break or join from another club.
A clear first enquiry helps United direct each player to the right team.
| Sections | Adult men and youth football |
|---|---|
| Levels | Super League and Division One |
| Entry routes | Youth progression, returners and new players |
| Enquiry | Ask about current training |
A modern facility
The full size floodlit artificial pitch at Young’s Quarry opened in 2019. Funding support helped the club create a reliable venue for training, matches and wider community activity in Ballisodare.
A dependable surface gives teams more options through the year.
| Opened | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Surface | Full size floodlit artificial pitch |
| Purpose | Training, matches and community use |
| Home | Young’s Quarry |
Volunteer led football
Coaches, committee members, parents, grounds staff and matchday helpers keep Ballisodare United moving. Their work covers player welfare, communication, equipment, pitch preparation and the many details that make weekly football possible.
Volunteering gives people a practical way to strengthen football in Ballisodare.
| Roles | Coaching, management and committee work |
|---|---|
| Ground | Pitch care and equipment |
| Benefit | More opportunities for local players |
Planning a first visit
Before visiting Young’s Quarry, confirm the team, session time, entrance and pitch. Bring boots, shin guards, water and weather layers, and ask about parking, changing rooms, toilets and accessible entry. Check any artificial pitch booking arrangements with the club.
Clear preparation helps a new player arrive relaxed and ready.
| Confirm | Team, time, pitch and entrance |
|---|---|
| Bring | Boots, shin guards, water and layers |
| Ask about | Parking, changing, toilets and access |
| Booking | Confirm pitch arrangements |
Joining Ballisodare United
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 any 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 Ballisodare pathway
Ballisodare United connects early football from age four, boys and girls youth competition, adult men’s teams and a modern home at Young’s Quarry. Red and white colours unite the club while its 1975 foundation gives the village a clear football identity.
For families in Ballisodare, United offers a practical way to start, progress or return to organised football.
| Home | Young’s Quarry |
|---|---|
| Pathway | Children, boys, girls and adult football |
| Identity | Red and white |
| Community | Ballisodare and County Sligo |