Swords · County Dublin · Since 1962
Swords Celtic brings generations of football together in Balheary. Its green and black identity connects children taking their first touches with girls’ and boys’ teams, adult football and opportunities for players with disabilities.
Club story
The 1983 merger that broadened the club
Swords Celtic began in 1962. For its first 21 years, the club fielded two senior sides and three youth teams. A growing need for a stronger youth programme brought it together with nearby St Cronan’s Schoolboy Club in 1983.
That merger gave young footballers a larger shared home and connected schoolboy football with the existing adult club. The history recorded by Member First Credit Union in July 2023 describes the scale of that growth:800 members,43 schoolboy and schoolgirl teams, academies, Football For All camps and five senior sides at that time. Those are anniversary-era figures, not today’s registration totals.
The same sponsorship supported the girls’ academy. For parents, the club’s story is about more than adding teams: it shows how the youth programme became part of the club’s long-term future.
Finding the right group
Academy, team football and Football For All
A first enquiry should identify the player’s birth year, previous experience and any support they need. Ask the club to put you in touch with the right academy or team coach before attending a session. Players of the same age can belong to different squads with different training arrangements.
Swords Celtic’s established programme includes girls’ and boys’ academies and Football For All. Ask about the current intake, session setting and available support rather than assuming that one timetable or age range covers every activity.
The team and match cards below show the records connected to Irish Youth Football. They are not a complete register of the club’s academy, adult and inclusive activities.
Girls’ football
Support beyond the weekly match
Swords Celtic was listed as a host for the FAI’s In Her Boots programme on 4 August 2026. The programme is designed for girls aged 9 to 16 of all abilities.
For a parent choosing a team, ask who manages the relevant girls’ squad, how new players are introduced and how the club communicates with families. A previous event does not mean that registration for the same programme remains open; check the current FAI schedule for future dates.
Adult pathway
Senior football alongside the youth programme
Swords Celtic’s adult teams offer a further stage beyond schoolboy football. The club appeared in the 2026 FAI Intermediate Cup third-round draw, paired at home with Malahide United. That competition belongs to the adult game and should not be confused with youth SFAI tournaments.
Older teenagers considering the next step should speak to their coach about the appropriate squad and current registration arrangements. Progression depends on the player and team; it is not an automatic place in a senior side.
Planning a visit
Confirm the Balheary pitch before travelling
The club base is on Balheary Road in Swords. Use the Swords Celtic pin below for the club grounds, then check the pitch and meeting point in your team’s match notice. Other sports areas also use the Balheary name, so a general search for the area can take you to a different entrance.
Swords Celtic club grounds — Balheary Road
Open the Swords Celtic club location in Google Maps
Check the council’s Friday pitch report when your fixture is on council grass. A park being open does not confirm that a particular match will proceed; the coach’s match notice remains your final travel check.
Ask about spectator parking, toilet access and an accessible route if needed. Keep vehicle entrances clear and arrange a meeting point before a child’s first session.
Keep in touch
Joining and club updates
The official club website and Swords Celtic’s club Facebook page are the starting points for joining enquiries and current notices. Confirm the relevant team contact before sharing registration documents or making payment.
The DDSL club profile identifies the green and black striped home colours. Match times and competition details should be checked against the relevant team’s current notice.
