Blessington FC
Blessington FC connects a 1968 Deerpark story with Crosschapel, academy and underage football, and Saturday and Sunday senior teams.
Blessington FC identity
Blessington FC, also known as Blessington AFC, is a County Wicklow club founded in 1968. Its stag crest remembers the Deerpark ground where early teams trained, while the club’s modern home is at Crosschapel.
The pathway now includes academy, underage and senior football. Players and families from Blessington and nearby communities can enter at a young age, continue through school age teams and find adult football within the same club.
Crosschapel home ground
Blessington FC is based at Crosschapel, Blessington, County Wicklow, W91 XCW8. Approaching from Dublin on the N81, visitors follow the Crosschapel turn and continue past the church to the ground.
Confirm the pitch, arrival time and team meeting point before travelling. The club’s visitor policy does not permit dogs at the grounds, and access routes should be kept clear.
From Deerpark to Crosschapel
Blessington’s early football home was on the Naas Road between Glending and Deerpark. The club also trained behind the Powers public house on Main Street before remaining at the Naas Road pitch through 2007 to 2008.
The move to Crosschapel created a more settled base for youth and adult football. The stag crest keeps the earlier Deerpark connection visible in the club’s identity.
Academy and underage football
Schoolboy football took firm root in 1981 after an earlier attempt during the 1970s. An academy later gave younger children a welcoming introduction to the game before they moved into regular age group football.
The current team contacts includes age group coordinators, a DDSL fixture secretary and contacts for girls’ teams. Ask the club to confirm the correct group for the new season.
Senior football and Sunday teams
Blessington provides senior Saturday and Sunday football alongside its academy and underage sections. The senior setting is connected with the Leinster Senior League, giving older players a competitive route after school age football.
Players looking to join should explain their experience, preferred day and availability. The team contact can confirm training, registration and squad places.
A first major honour in 1979 to 1980
The club’s first major honour came in 1979 to 1980 with the Sunday Division 3 title. That early success helped establish Blessington as a serious local football club while its youth structure continued to develop.
The anniversary story remained important when Blessington marked 50 years in 2018. It brought together the people, grounds and milestones that shaped the club’s first half century.
| Founded | 1968. |
|---|---|
| First major honour | Sunday Division 3 title in 1979 to 1980. |
| Anniversary | 50 years marked in 2018. |
| Home | Crosschapel, Blessington, W91 XCW8. |
Coaches, contacts and safeguarding
A club with academy, girls, boys and adult teams needs clear volunteer roles. Coaches, age group coordinators, committee members, referees and parents keep the weekly football routine working.
Anyone working with children should follow Blessington’s safeguarding process and complete the checks and training expected for the role. Families should keep the relevant team contact for changes to sessions and venues.
First visit guide
For a first enquiry, send the player’s age, football experience and whether the interest is academy, girls’, boys’ or adult football. Ask about the next suitable session, registration, training time, equipment and any places available.
Arrive early at Crosschapel, bring water and suitable clothing, and follow the no dogs rule at the grounds. Confirm parking, access and the named pitch if several teams are using the site.
| Club | Blessington FC / Blessington AFC. |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1968. |
| Area | Blessington, County Wicklow. |
| Home | Crosschapel, Blessington, Co. Wicklow, W91 XCW8. |
| Pathway | Academy, girls, boys, Saturday and Sunday adult football. |
| League setting | DDSL youth football and Leinster Senior League adult football. |
| Visitor rule | Dogs are not permitted at the grounds. |
