Raharney United AFC

Football between Raharney and Killucan

Raharney United AFC is rooted in the community around Raharney and Killucan in County Westmeath. The club brings children, teenagers and adult players together at Higginstown, with blue and white running through its football identity.

The badge carries a bridge, water, football, star and the 2003 foundation year. Those details fit a club built around place, steady growth and a ground that serves football and local activity.

A 2003 beginning at the national school

Raharney United began in 2003 to provide football coaching and facilities for the local community. The first sessions were based at Raharney National School, where the club started as a schoolboy football organisation.

As participation grew, the club looked for a permanent home. That move from school facilities to Higginstown created the base for academy football, youth teams and adult sides.

From school football to a full pathway

The early club programme grew through community games and then expanded when local demand for a senior team became clear. Men’s and women’s football joined the schoolboy and schoolgirl teams, while an academy gave younger players a starting point.

The result is a pathway that can begin with a Saturday session and continue through youth football into adult teams. Families should ask the club which groups are active for the player’s year.

Higginstown is the club base

Higginstown is the home of Raharney United football. The ground sits near Raharney in County Westmeath and gives the club a permanent setting for training, matches, academy sessions and community use.

The ground record places the venue at Higginstown, Raharney. Confirm the active pitch, entrance and session time with the relevant team contact before travelling.

Travel anchor: Higginstown, Raharney, County Westmeath.

The all weather pitch

Raharney United developed a floodlit all weather pitch measuring 40 metres by 60 metres. The surface supports five a side and seven a side football, giving younger groups and adult players a flexible training space.

The new astro surface was formally opened in April 2022. It added a dependable playing area for the club and created a facility that can serve future generations in the community.

A ground made for more than match day

Higginstown combines football use with the wider life of the club. The site includes a clubhouse setting and a walking track used by members and local residents, so activity can continue beyond a single fixture.

Parents and visitors should ask about changing areas, parking and access needs when arranging a first visit. The club contact can confirm the practical details for the specific session.

Academy and nursery entry points

The academy is a central first step for children who are beginning football at Raharney United. Saturday academy training has been part of the club programme, and a nursery programme was added to widen the earliest entry point.

A new family should ask about the current age bands, session time, registration position, kit expectations and the best contact for the child’s first visit.

Current youth football pathway

Raharney United is connected with the North Eastern Regional League setting for the 2026 to 2027 season. The live team pathway includes a youths group, an under 12 group and an under 14 group.

Those teams sit alongside the academy and the club’s wider youth structure. Team coverage can change during a season, so families should use the age group and year of birth when asking about a place.

Adult football and the CCFL route

Raharney’s adult teams compete in the Combined Counties Football League. The club history records senior men’s football alongside a senior women’s programme, giving older players a route beyond youth football.

The women’s team has also played in a summer competition setting. Ask the club which adult squads are active, where they train and how a player can attend an appropriate session.

FAI Club Mark recognition

Raharney United earned FAI Club Mark recognition as the club developed its coaching, safeguarding and governance standards. The recognition reflects the work required to run football for children and adults in a structured setting.

The club’s welfare and coaching roles are part of that structure. A parent can ask who leads the relevant age group, how safeguarding questions are handled and where registration information is kept.

A club that has grown with its community

Raharney United’s early membership was small, then grew year by year as the local pathway widened. The history records around 145 playing members in the 2018 to 2019 season, with senior men, senior women, schoolboy and schoolgirl football plus the academy.

That growth explains why the club has invested in a permanent base and flexible facilities. It also means a new player should contact the club early, because age groups can fill at different points in a season.

Volunteer roles that keep football moving

The club has invited people to support its next stage through roles such as vice chairperson, child welfare officer, head coach, public relations, head of academy and other practical committee work.

A healthy club depends on more than coaches. Safeguarding, communications, academy planning, fundraising, grounds care and committee work all help keep sessions safe and organised.

Safeguarding and child welfare

Raharney United places child welfare inside the club’s operating structure. The child welfare role supports safe practice, vetting, welfare concerns and a child centred football culture across activities.

Parents should raise welfare questions before a session if possible. The club can direct each concern to the right person and explain the current process for coaches, volunteers and families.

Current club contacts

The club contact page identifies the main route through the secretary and chairperson. Raharney United AFC can be reached by email at raharneyunitedafc@gmail.com, and the club phone is 085 2608446.

John Gaynor is listed as chairperson. The secretary route is the best starting point for age group questions, registration, training details, venue confirmation and general club enquiries.

Recent volunteer expansion

Raharney United has continued to build its organisation by inviting people into defined club roles. The roles cover leadership, safeguarding, coaching standards, academy development, communications and the everyday work that keeps football available.

Someone considering volunteering can start with the role that matches their skills. A coach, welfare volunteer, committee member, academy helper or communications volunteer can each make a clear contribution.

A first visit for a young player

Before a first visit, confirm the player’s age group, the Higginstown meeting point, the training day and whether places are available. The academy or nursery may be the right entry point even when an older team is visible in the club pathway.

Bring boots suitable for the surface, shin guards, water and any medical information the coach should know. A short message with the player’s year of birth helps the club direct the enquiry quickly.

Visiting teams and supporters

Away teams should confirm the pitch, entrance and active surface before travelling to Higginstown. The all weather pitch can support different small sided formats, while team activity and adult football may use a particular match setup.

Blue and white are the club colours. Agree kit colours before match day, keep the secretary route available and allow time for parking and changing arrangements to be confirmed.

Community football with a clear future

Raharney United’s story runs from a school based beginning to a permanent Higginstown home, a floodlit all weather surface, academy football, youth teams and adult pathways. The club’s work is visible in the facilities, the volunteer structure and the care taken with player development.

For a child, the route can begin with a Saturday academy session. For an adult, it can lead to a senior team. For a volunteer, it can mean coaching, welfare, committee work or helping the ground serve the next generation.