Benbulben FC
Benbulben FC connects a 2011 North Sligo foundation with the mountain identity of its home area, a boys and girls pathway and adult men’s and women’s football.
Benbulben FC identity
Benbulben FC is a North Sligo community club founded in 2011. Its name and crest connect football to the mountain that dominates the local landscape, while the red, black and white identity gives the club a clear visual character.
The club now links academy, underage and adult football for families around Grange, Ballinfull and nearby communities. Boys and girls can start young, continue through teenage teams and see a route into men’s and women’s football.
North Sligo Sports Centre
North Sligo Sports Centre at Newtown, Grange, County Sligo, F91 YX25 is the club’s main home. The centre supports outdoor soccer for boys and girls and provides a community setting where teams, families and volunteers meet across the year.
The named pitch, arrival gate and session time can vary by age group. Confirm those practical details with the team contact before travelling, especially for a first visit or a camp day.
Fifteen years of community football
Benbulben FC began in 2011 and reached its fifteenth anniversary in 2026. The anniversary brought players, families and volunteers together at North Sligo Sports Centre, reflecting a club built around regular participation and local support.
The mountain name gives the club a strong sense of place. It helps younger players understand that their team belongs to North Sligo, while the shared crest and colours connect every age group from the first academy session to adult football.
Boys and girls from under 7 to under 18
The youth pathway covers boys and girls from under 7 through under 18. Younger groups can focus on movement, ball confidence and small sided games, while older teams add tactical understanding, position skills and the habits needed for competitive league football.
Families should give the club the player’s year of birth and previous experience so the right squad can be identified. Training times, registration steps and equipment can differ by age group.
Men’s and women’s football
Benbulben FC extends its pathway into adult men’s and women’s football. That continuity gives older players a chance to remain part of the same community after underage football and gives younger teams visible examples of where their own football can lead.
Adult football also creates coaching, officiating and volunteering opportunities. Players who enjoy helping younger teams can build experience alongside their own playing commitments.
Women’s Shield success in 2026
The senior women’s team won the 2026 Sligo Bay Lobsters Women’s Shield after a dramatic final against Ballymote Celtic. The match finished 2 to 2 after extra time before Benbulben prevailed 5 to 4 on penalties at Ray MacSharry Park.
That win became a shared club moment. Players from the men’s and women’s teams later brought the recent Cup and Shield trophies to St Aidan’s National School, linking senior achievement with the next generation of North Sligo players.
| Final | Benbulben FC 2, Ballymote Celtic 2 after extra time. |
|---|---|
| Shootout | Benbulben won 5 to 4 on penalties. |
| Competition | Sligo Bay Lobsters Women’s Shield, 2026. |
| Venue | Ray MacSharry Park. |
Red, black and white colours
Benbulben FC uses red, black and white across its crest and club presentation. The mountain and football mark create a strong local symbol, while the colour combination makes teams recognisable at Sligo and Leitrim grounds.
Kit details can change by age group and season. Families should check the current team message for match and training requirements, including footwear, goalkeeper colours and any club shop arrangements.
Sligo and Leitrim football setting
Underage teams take part in the Sligo and Leitrim youth football environment, giving players regular opposition across the region. The senior teams add an adult level of competition and help maintain a clear bridge from teenage football into the next stage.
League participation brings a dependable weekly rhythm, but the most useful information for a player is always the coach’s current venue, arrival time and squad message for that session.
Camps, family days and community life
North Sligo Sports Centre hosts Benbulben soccer activity through the week and has also been used for family days and seasonal football events. These occasions make the club accessible to children who are curious about football but are not yet ready to join a regular squad.
A family day can also be a helpful first conversation with coaches and volunteers. Ask about age groups, beginner sessions, registration, kit and the best contact for the next training date.
Coaching, safeguarding and volunteering
A broad club pathway depends on coaches, team mentors, committee members, referees, pitch helpers and parents. Volunteers keep training organised, support match days and create the welcoming environment that allows children to enjoy football safely.
Anyone working with children should follow the club’s safeguarding process and complete the checks and training required for the role. Parents should know who the team contact and welfare contact are before the season begins.
First visit guide
For a first enquiry, send the player’s name, year of birth, home area, previous football experience and the type of football they want to try. Ask which Benbulben FC group is appropriate, where the session is held, what to bring and how registration works.
At North Sligo Sports Centre, arrive early enough to find the named pitch and meet the coach. Bring water, weather appropriate clothing and any medical information the team needs. Check parking, changing rooms, toilets and accessible entry in advance if your family needs those details.
| Club | Benbulben FC. |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011. |
| Area | Grange, Ballinfull and North Sligo. |
| Colours | Red, black and white. |
| Home | North Sligo Sports Centre, Newtown, Grange, F91 YX25. |
| Pathway | Academy, boys and girls underage football, adult men’s and women’s football. |
| Youth setting | Sligo and Leitrim underage football. |
| 2026 milestone | Women’s Shield winners after a 5 to 4 penalty shootout. |