Portlaoise, County Laois
Old Fort Celtic
Old Fort Celtic is a Portlaoise football club founded in 2016. What began with one senior team grew to five teams by 2026, including two senior sides, two Under 20 teams and an Under 16 team. The club plays in the Kildare & District Football League while continuing its search for a permanent home in Portlaoise.
Club beginnings
A new name in 2016
Founded 2016 Portlaoise
Before Old Fort Celtic took its present name, the organisation operated as LOFFA, Laois and Offaly Families for Autism, with Karl Byrne as chairman. A change from its charity structure led to a new football identity in 2016.
The name links the club firmly to Portlaoise, a town whose modern development began around the old fort. The first Old Fort Celtic side entered senior football and became the starting point for the larger club seen today.
Club growth
From one team to five
Two senior teams Two Under 20s Under 16
Demand for football in Portlaoise brought a steady rise in players and volunteers. By March 2026, Old Fort Celtic had two senior sides, two Under 20 teams and an Under 16 team.
Club secretary Daniel Bland told Laois Today that more teams could follow if the club secures dependable pitches for training and weekend matches.
KDFL football
Success brought new players
League honours Cup football
A run of league and cup trophies over three or four seasons changed the club’s direction. More players came in, a second senior side followed and friendships formed around the teams.
Old Fort later reached the KDFL Senior Division. The step up placed the Portlaoise club among established sides from across Kildare and neighbouring counties.
FAI Junior Cup
A second half comeback
Old Fort Celtic 3 Suncroft 1
Old Fort trailed Suncroft after 50 minutes in an FAI Junior Cup second round tie, but Eoin Carroll headed an equaliser before Aaron Rafter put the Portlaoise side ahead.
Scott Coyle completed the 3-1 win in added time, sending Old Fort into the third round. Carroll was named player of the match after a goal and an assist.
Playing grounds
Two Portlaoise venues
Leisure Centre Rugby Club
Old Fort uses Portlaoise Leisure Centre and Portlaoise Rugby Club for home matches. The Leisure Centre pitch is not guaranteed for every fixture, which made the Rugby Club agreement an important addition in 2025.
The agreement provided a pitch and facilities for summer fixtures. The KDFL venue list names both grounds, so visitors should follow the venue on their match notice.
Looking ahead
A permanent home and more youth teams
Boys Girls Portlaoise
The club wants a permanent Portlaoise base where teams can train during the week and play at weekends. Its stated ambition is to add more boys and girls teams across several age groups.
The team list below reflects the squads currently connected to Old Fort Celtic on this website and may not include every team. New players should ask the club about spaces, training locations and the correct age group.
For visitors
Check which Portlaoise ground
Old Fort Celtic does not have one permanent home pitch. Check if the fixture names Portlaoise Leisure Centre, Portlaoise Rugby Club or another venue before travelling. Parking and changing arrangements will depend on the ground.
