Achill Rovers F.D.A.C.

Achill Rovers F.D.A.C.
Full name Achill Rovers Football, Drama & Athletic Club
Founded 1986
Ground Fr. O'Brien Park
The Valley, Achill
County Mayo
Ground Capacity 500
Chairman Tony McGing
Manager Martin McGing
League Mayo Association Football League
Mayo School Boys and Girls League
Website Club home page

Achill Rovers F.D.A.C. is an Irish association football club based in Achill Island, County Mayo. The club was founded in 1986 following the merger of Achill United F.C. and Achill Eagles A.D.F.C.. It's senior men's team competes in the Mayo Association Football League. In July 2015 Achill Rovers were named the Aviva Club of the Year by the FAI.

History

Early years

In 1974 Achill United was formed by Fr. Vincent O'Brien. Achill Rovers home ground is named after Fr. O'Brien. In August 1979 Achill Eagles Athletic Drama & Football Club was formed during a meeting in the Minaun Bar. Both clubs were moderately successful junior clubs. However, by 1986 it was clear that in order for an Achill team to remain competitive a merger would be necessary. By the end of the 1985–86 season both Achill United and Achill Eagles were finding it difficult to field full sides. At a meeting in the Slievemore Hotel on 21 April 1986 it was decided to amalgamate the two clubs as Achill Rovers.

Mayo champions

In 1997 and 1998 Achill Rovers finished as runners up and then champions of the Mayo Association Football League.[1] Despite finishing the 1998 season as champions, Achill Rovers subsequently found themselves relegated following a reorganization of the Mayo League. In the addition to renaming the top division the Super League, the league also introduced new criteria for home grounds and facilities. Achill Rovers failed to match the required standards and as result the club found itself excluded from the revamped league.

Achill Rovers on Radio

In 2014 RTÉ Radio 1's The John Murray Show announced that they were going to follow and support Achill Rovers as their underdogs during the 2014 season. Packie Bonner was appointed celebrity coach for the show. [2] In August 2014, Achill Rovers also featured in the BBC Radio 4 documentary series Crossing Continents. The episode focused on immigration from Ireland and the importance of sport in rural communities. The programme featured interviews with Enda Kenny and with players and officials from Achill Rovers, Achill GFC and Kilmeena GAA. [3]

Joseph N'Do

In February 2015 Joseph N'Do joined Achill Rovers as a part-time coach, initially working with the U13 and U12 boys, U14 and U12 girls teams and the men's junior team. In January 2016 it was announced that N'Do had also registered with Rovers as a player. [4]

Aviva Club of the Year

In July 2015 Achill Rovers were named the Aviva Club of the Year by the FAI and were presented with the award by John Delaney. After being nominated in the participation category Achill Rovers received a cheque of €1,500. They won the award for increasing membership numbers, despite a falling population, and building a club that is open to all the community, actively encouraging new residents to become involved in all aspects of club life. Achill Rovers received a cheque for €5,000 as the overall winners. [5][6]

Grounds

Achill Rovers play their home games at Fr. O'Brien Park. They have also played home games at the Currane Community Sports Field.

Gallery

Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Republic of Ireland GK Steven Cafferkey
2 Republic of Ireland DF Joseph Murray
3 Republic of Ireland DF Cory Kilbane
4 Republic of Ireland DF Anthony McHugh
5 Republic of Ireland DF Martin Doolan
6 Republic of Ireland MF Terence Dever
7 Republic of Ireland MF Kevin Lynchehaun
8 Republic of Ireland MF Mark Davitt
9 Republic of Ireland MF Chris Western
10 Poland FW Kryzsztof Jablonski
12 Republic of Ireland MF Toirlach Dever
11 Republic of Ireland MF Johnny Kiernan
No. Position Player
13 Republic of Ireland DF Michael English
15 Cameroon MF Joseph N'Do
16 Republic of Ireland MF Keith McGinty
17 Republic of Ireland FW Sean McNamara
18 Republic of Ireland FW Brandon McGing
19 Republic of Ireland DF John Patten
20 Republic of Ireland DF Dylan Reilly
21 Republic of Ireland MF Robbie Calvey
22 Republic of Ireland GK Sean Scott Cafferkey
28 Scotland MF Stuart latimer
29 Republic of Ireland FW Darren Molloy
30 Northern Ireland MF Tom Stewart
31 Republic of Ireland MF Patrick Grealis

Honours

Source[1][5][6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Mayo Football League Roll Of Honour" (PDF). inform.fai.ie. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  2. ↑ "Packie Bonner to coach 'underdogs' Achill Rovers". The Mayo News. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  3. ↑ "Achill and Kilmeena feature in BBC Radio programme". The Mayo News. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  4. ↑ "African World Cup star making comeback… with Achill Rovers". www.theirishworld.com. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Achill Rovers named Aviva Club of the Year 2015". www.fai.ie. 22 July 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Achill Rovers named Aviva FAI Club of the Year". stadium.aviva.ie. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
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