Westport United
Encyclopedia
Westport United Football Club is an amateur football club in Westport
, County Mayo
, Republic of Ireland
. Founded in 1911, it is the oldest football club in County Mayo and its players wear red and black stripes. Home games are played at Westport Sports Park. The club has two men's teams, one ladies' side, two girls' teams and twelve boys' teams. Westport share a rivalry with Castlebar Celtic
of the A Championship
. Westport's senior team compete in the Elvery's Superleague as well as the Connacht Cup.
, planting a tree at The Mall, Westport.
Early on, the club entered the Irish Junior Cup, however, due to lack of funds, Westport had to withdraw from the competition. Due to the absence of an area competition, the club relied on local leagues for finance and regular football. Teams such as All Blacks, C.B.S., St. Mary's, Quay Hearts and Bohemians would compete against Westport. The games were played in Westport Demesne, while the club matches were played in Munster's Field or Coyne's Field (now Fr. Angelus Park).
The foundation of Castlebar Celtic
in 1924 and the inception of the Connacht Cup in 1922 increased the number of games for the club. The club reached a Connacht Cup Semi-Final against Sligo Rovers in 1930, only to lose 2-1. The local belief at the time was that Westport would have joined the League of Ireland
, had they won the competition. The 1930s also saw Westport United travel to Athlone Town in an FAI Junior Cup game in 1935. The hosts won 2-1 with Tommie Brennan getting the winner.
The 1940s were a significant time for the club. The club won the Connacht Cup in 1942, 1945 and 1949. Off the pitch, in 1947, a committee headed by John Staunton voted to develop what is now known as the Sports Park which was opened on June 27, 1953. The first game to take place on the pitch was Everton
v Jackie Carey XI. The match was played in torrential rain and also marked the last ever game for Jackie Carey.
1954 saw the launch of the Mayo League. In 1956, United player Seán McLoughlin was capped by the Ireland schoolboys team against England
. Westport entered a successful era at that time, starting with quarter-final appearances in the FAI Junior Cup in 1957 and 1959.
The Connacht Cup came back to Westport in 1961, and seven Mayo League titles in a row followed. The 1968-69 season saw United embark on their best national cup run in over half a century. After some good wins, United were drawn at home to Hoganville in the quarter final who they overcame in extratime. The semi final draw pitted them at home to another Dublin team, Talbot United who were 2-0 winners. The game noted the inclusion of a number of Derry City
players, notably Stevie Wilkinson and Ivan Parkes.
The early 1970s posed problems for the club, when the eligibility of the Derry players came into question. Sporting Club was formed, partially in protest over local players being frozen out at the expense of the Northerners. This led, in 1972-73, to the Mayo League ordering Westport to field an all-local team for that season.
The 1973-74 season saw Westport win the Connacht Cup in the Sports Park with a 1-0 win over O.L.B.C., Galway, with Martin Halpin scoring the winner in extra time. Goalkeeper Michael Higgins arrived having played for Mayo in a Connacht Championship match in Tuam
that day. The Junior Club folded in the mid seventies promting Pádraig Kelly, Michael Joe Lavelle, Christy Moran and Martin Keane set up Westport United Youths. Their activities were run from the present site of St. Anne's Boxing Club. The 1981-82 season saw the Mayo League Title return to Westport for the last time until 2002.
selection. The 18th of October 1985 saw United player Joe Mulroy won an Irish Youth cap against Northern Ireland
at Tolka Park
. The Republic won the game 6-3.
Preparations for the 75th anniversary began with a shutdown of the Sports Park, to improve the pitch. The Committee, under the chairmanship of Noel Duffy, began to commission a book for the occasion. The Club made an ambitious move by appointing former Cork Celtic and Republic of Ireland player, John Herrick as manager. Westport won its sixth Connacht Cup on May 24, 1987, with a 2-1 win over West United of Galway. Three weeks later, United won the Michael O'Byrne Cup against the same opposition. The club hosted its 75th anniversary game on 26 July 1987, playing host to League of Ireland
side host to Derry City FC in the Sports Park.
Westport United joined the Connacht Senior League
during the 1988-89 season. That year also saw the Under-15 and Under-18 teams win Connacht Cup titles, and the death of Pat Halpin, one of the best up-and-coming players at the time.
The 6th of August 1992 saw a prestigious friendly against Preston North End hosted by Westport, a game won 2-0 by Preston. The game was played on August 6, with the visitors winning 2-0. On December 3, 1992, an E.G.M.
was called leading to the amalgamation of Westport United and Westport United Youths.
The lack of success from the senior team came to a head at the A.G.M.
of the club on 26 May 1994, when the incoming chairman, Noel Duffy, announced that Michael McDonagh would take charge of the senior team for the 1994-95 season. Westport withdrew from the Connacht Senior League in July 1995, and was promoted to the Mayo League Premier Division on 17 September 1995, as champions.
Westport were dealt a blow soon after, being fined £1,400 and having 13 points deducted for breaches in registration rules. The situation deteriorated when the standoff resulted in the fine being doubled, and the club suspended. Deputy Michael Ring intervened in the crisis, which resulted in the fine being reduced to £1,000. The points deduction stood; thus Westport United was relegated. Underage trophies continued to flow in at Under-16 level with back-to-back league titles.
The new millennium began with difficulty for the club as in January 2001, a lack of interest very nearly left the club to fold.
The revival of the junior team began under Kevin Cusack as Westport United won its first league title in twenty years after a 7-0 rout of Urlaur United on 1 September 2002.
Westport United FC reached the quarter final of the FAI Junior Cup, eventually losing to Southend United of Waterford on a penalty shootout. In the Connacht Cup, Westport United reached the semi final for the first time in 16 years before losing to Castlebar Celtic 2-0.
In 2003, Noel Moran stepped down and Kevin Cusack returned with Padraig Burns. United may have let the league slip from its grasp but a 2-1 (after extra time) win over Snugboro United in the AIB Cup final gave Westport United its first ever Mayo FA Cup success on 7 September 2003. In the FAI Junior Cup, Westport United were beaten by St. Kevin’s Boy’s Club in a penalty shootout which finished 14-13. Only three players had their penalties saved.
2004 saw Westport United regain the superleague, beating S&F United 4-1 in the last game of the season on 19 September 2004.
The 2005 FAI Junior Cup saw Westport overcome Tralee Dynamos and Leeside FC of Cork
to enter the last 16. During this time, Westport filled the positions of chairman and club secretary with Tom Tarmey and Marie King respectively. United defeated Pike Rovers of Limerick
in the following round before knocking out Killester United in the quarter final.
Controversy surrounded the club's Semi Final against Carew Park of Limerick
. Having initially been defated, Westport lodged an objection over the eligibility of Carew Park’s Denis Whelan. The result was a rescheduled semi final at Jackman Park
. Westport won the rescheduled game 2-0. The final was fixed for Buckley Park on 19 June 2005. Westport created history by beating Waterford Crystal
2-0 to win the FAI Junior Cup with goals from Dessie O’Malley and David Cameron.
The senior team meanwhile, competed in the 2005 FAI Cup, but were defeated 1–2 in the First Round by Fanad United.
Westport went on to regain the Super League on 21 August 2005, defeating Ballyheane 3-0 with a few games to spare. In February 2006, Westport United was defeated in the FAI Junior Cup in normal time for the first time in over four years, 4-1 at home to Killester United. Kevin Cusack and Padraig Burns resigned from club duties shortly after.
The club appointed former Galway United
player, Brendan O’Connor as plyer/manager The performance over the season was largely transitional. Westport then threw up some mixed performances in the external cup competitions, going from an unlucky 2-1 extra time loss away to Portmarnock FC in the FAI Junior Cup, to a very limp exit in the Connacht Cup away to little known Heatmerchants FC.
Westport completed the Elvery’s Super League and Westaro Cup double in 2007 though all hopes for treble were dashed following a 4-3 penalty shootout loss to Castlebar Celtic after a 1-1 draw on September 30. Kevin Cusack and Padraig Burns returned to the helm on 30 October. Westport United was also boosted with the news that Mayo County Council had granted conditional planning consent for the club on a new site at Lurvagh, Aughagower.
The new Westport United FC website was launched in the Castlecourt Hotel on Friday 27 April by Deputy Michael Ring TD
. Guest of Honour that night was former Westport United manager, John Herrick and the 1987 Connacht Cup winning team.
In March 2010 Barry Kilgannon was appointed as manager of the club.
Westport, County Mayo
Westport is a town in County Mayo, Ireland. It is situated on the west coast at the south-east corner of Clew Bay, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean....
, County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. Founded in 1911, it is the oldest football club in County Mayo and its players wear red and black stripes. Home games are played at Westport Sports Park. The club has two men's teams, one ladies' side, two girls' teams and twelve boys' teams. Westport share a rivalry with Castlebar Celtic
Castlebar Celtic
Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s...
of the A Championship
A Championship
The A Championship was the third tier in the Republic of Ireland football league system. It was created in 2008 by the FAI to act as the first stop for clubs hoping to move into the League of Ireland, but cancelled at the end of the 2011 season...
. Westport's senior team compete in the Elvery's Superleague as well as the Connacht Cup.
1911-1980
Westport United came into existence in 1911. It is claimed that the club colours of red and black were adopted from Bohemians in Dublin. Part of the early history was the Bohs and Irish international footballer, Harold SloanHarold Sloan
Harold Alexander De Barbizon Sloan was an Irish soccer player at the beginning of the 20th century.Sloan represented Bohemians during his career in the Irish League. A classy forward, he was one of the main stars in the early Bohemian history...
, planting a tree at The Mall, Westport.
Early on, the club entered the Irish Junior Cup, however, due to lack of funds, Westport had to withdraw from the competition. Due to the absence of an area competition, the club relied on local leagues for finance and regular football. Teams such as All Blacks, C.B.S., St. Mary's, Quay Hearts and Bohemians would compete against Westport. The games were played in Westport Demesne, while the club matches were played in Munster's Field or Coyne's Field (now Fr. Angelus Park).
The foundation of Castlebar Celtic
Castlebar Celtic
Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s...
in 1924 and the inception of the Connacht Cup in 1922 increased the number of games for the club. The club reached a Connacht Cup Semi-Final against Sligo Rovers in 1930, only to lose 2-1. The local belief at the time was that Westport would have joined the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
, had they won the competition. The 1930s also saw Westport United travel to Athlone Town in an FAI Junior Cup game in 1935. The hosts won 2-1 with Tommie Brennan getting the winner.
The 1940s were a significant time for the club. The club won the Connacht Cup in 1942, 1945 and 1949. Off the pitch, in 1947, a committee headed by John Staunton voted to develop what is now known as the Sports Park which was opened on June 27, 1953. The first game to take place on the pitch was Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
v Jackie Carey XI. The match was played in torrential rain and also marked the last ever game for Jackie Carey.
1954 saw the launch of the Mayo League. In 1956, United player Seán McLoughlin was capped by the Ireland schoolboys team against England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Westport entered a successful era at that time, starting with quarter-final appearances in the FAI Junior Cup in 1957 and 1959.
The Connacht Cup came back to Westport in 1961, and seven Mayo League titles in a row followed. The 1968-69 season saw United embark on their best national cup run in over half a century. After some good wins, United were drawn at home to Hoganville in the quarter final who they overcame in extratime. The semi final draw pitted them at home to another Dublin team, Talbot United who were 2-0 winners. The game noted the inclusion of a number of Derry City
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
players, notably Stevie Wilkinson and Ivan Parkes.
The early 1970s posed problems for the club, when the eligibility of the Derry players came into question. Sporting Club was formed, partially in protest over local players being frozen out at the expense of the Northerners. This led, in 1972-73, to the Mayo League ordering Westport to field an all-local team for that season.
The 1973-74 season saw Westport win the Connacht Cup in the Sports Park with a 1-0 win over O.L.B.C., Galway, with Martin Halpin scoring the winner in extra time. Goalkeeper Michael Higgins arrived having played for Mayo in a Connacht Championship match in Tuam
Tuam
Tuam is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The name is pronounced choo-um . It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, and north of Galway city.-History:...
that day. The Junior Club folded in the mid seventies promting Pádraig Kelly, Michael Joe Lavelle, Christy Moran and Martin Keane set up Westport United Youths. Their activities were run from the present site of St. Anne's Boxing Club. The 1981-82 season saw the Mayo League Title return to Westport for the last time until 2002.
1980-present
On July 23, 1983, the Sports Park was re-opened having been renovated. The new-look ground incorporated a running track and a concrete spectator terrace. The match that evening was between a Connacht Selection and a Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
selection. The 18th of October 1985 saw United player Joe Mulroy won an Irish Youth cap against Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
at Tolka Park
Tolka Park
Tolka Park is an Irish football ground located in the north Dublin suburb of Drumcondra, on the northern banks of the River Tolka. It is currently the home ground of League of Ireland club Shelbourne...
. The Republic won the game 6-3.
Preparations for the 75th anniversary began with a shutdown of the Sports Park, to improve the pitch. The Committee, under the chairmanship of Noel Duffy, began to commission a book for the occasion. The Club made an ambitious move by appointing former Cork Celtic and Republic of Ireland player, John Herrick as manager. Westport won its sixth Connacht Cup on May 24, 1987, with a 2-1 win over West United of Galway. Three weeks later, United won the Michael O'Byrne Cup against the same opposition. The club hosted its 75th anniversary game on 26 July 1987, playing host to League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
side host to Derry City FC in the Sports Park.
Westport United joined the Connacht Senior League
Connacht Senior League (association football)
Connacht Senior League is a now defunct, amateur football league that ran in the Irish province of Connacht between 1981 and the summer of 2000, being scrapped when the leading clubs opted to join an under 21 league set up that year by the FAI. Teams from this league also competed in Ireland's top...
during the 1988-89 season. That year also saw the Under-15 and Under-18 teams win Connacht Cup titles, and the death of Pat Halpin, one of the best up-and-coming players at the time.
The 6th of August 1992 saw a prestigious friendly against Preston North End hosted by Westport, a game won 2-0 by Preston. The game was played on August 6, with the visitors winning 2-0. On December 3, 1992, an E.G.M.
Extraordinary General Meeting
An extraordinary general meeting, commonly abbreviated as EGM, is a meeting of members of an organisation, shareholders of a company, or employees of an official body, which occurs at an irregular time. The term is usually used where the group would ordinarily hold an annual general meeting , but...
was called leading to the amalgamation of Westport United and Westport United Youths.
The lack of success from the senior team came to a head at the A.G.M.
Annual general meeting
An annual general meeting is a meeting that official bodies, and associations involving the public , are often required by law to hold...
of the club on 26 May 1994, when the incoming chairman, Noel Duffy, announced that Michael McDonagh would take charge of the senior team for the 1994-95 season. Westport withdrew from the Connacht Senior League in July 1995, and was promoted to the Mayo League Premier Division on 17 September 1995, as champions.
Westport were dealt a blow soon after, being fined £1,400 and having 13 points deducted for breaches in registration rules. The situation deteriorated when the standoff resulted in the fine being doubled, and the club suspended. Deputy Michael Ring intervened in the crisis, which resulted in the fine being reduced to £1,000. The points deduction stood; thus Westport United was relegated. Underage trophies continued to flow in at Under-16 level with back-to-back league titles.
The new millennium began with difficulty for the club as in January 2001, a lack of interest very nearly left the club to fold.
The revival of the junior team began under Kevin Cusack as Westport United won its first league title in twenty years after a 7-0 rout of Urlaur United on 1 September 2002.
Westport United FC reached the quarter final of the FAI Junior Cup, eventually losing to Southend United of Waterford on a penalty shootout. In the Connacht Cup, Westport United reached the semi final for the first time in 16 years before losing to Castlebar Celtic 2-0.
In 2003, Noel Moran stepped down and Kevin Cusack returned with Padraig Burns. United may have let the league slip from its grasp but a 2-1 (after extra time) win over Snugboro United in the AIB Cup final gave Westport United its first ever Mayo FA Cup success on 7 September 2003. In the FAI Junior Cup, Westport United were beaten by St. Kevin’s Boy’s Club in a penalty shootout which finished 14-13. Only three players had their penalties saved.
2004 saw Westport United regain the superleague, beating S&F United 4-1 in the last game of the season on 19 September 2004.
The 2005 FAI Junior Cup saw Westport overcome Tralee Dynamos and Leeside FC of Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
to enter the last 16. During this time, Westport filled the positions of chairman and club secretary with Tom Tarmey and Marie King respectively. United defeated Pike Rovers of Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
in the following round before knocking out Killester United in the quarter final.
Controversy surrounded the club's Semi Final against Carew Park of Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
. Having initially been defated, Westport lodged an objection over the eligibility of Carew Park’s Denis Whelan. The result was a rescheduled semi final at Jackman Park
Jackman Park
Jackman Park is a football ground in Limerick, Republic of Ireland located on the Lower Carey's Road, that is home to Limerick F.C. It is regularly used by almost every grade of football in Limerick, from schoolboy to women's international games. The capacity is 2,450. The ground has a single 261...
. Westport won the rescheduled game 2-0. The final was fixed for Buckley Park on 19 June 2005. Westport created history by beating Waterford Crystal
Waterford Crystal
Waterford Crystal is a trademark brand of crystal glassware, previously produced in Waterford, Ireland, though the factory there was shut down after the receivership of Waterford Wedgwood plc in early 2009...
2-0 to win the FAI Junior Cup with goals from Dessie O’Malley and David Cameron.
The senior team meanwhile, competed in the 2005 FAI Cup, but were defeated 1–2 in the First Round by Fanad United.
Westport went on to regain the Super League on 21 August 2005, defeating Ballyheane 3-0 with a few games to spare. In February 2006, Westport United was defeated in the FAI Junior Cup in normal time for the first time in over four years, 4-1 at home to Killester United. Kevin Cusack and Padraig Burns resigned from club duties shortly after.
The club appointed former Galway United
Galway United
Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football....
player, Brendan O’Connor as plyer/manager The performance over the season was largely transitional. Westport then threw up some mixed performances in the external cup competitions, going from an unlucky 2-1 extra time loss away to Portmarnock FC in the FAI Junior Cup, to a very limp exit in the Connacht Cup away to little known Heatmerchants FC.
Westport completed the Elvery’s Super League and Westaro Cup double in 2007 though all hopes for treble were dashed following a 4-3 penalty shootout loss to Castlebar Celtic after a 1-1 draw on September 30. Kevin Cusack and Padraig Burns returned to the helm on 30 October. Westport United was also boosted with the news that Mayo County Council had granted conditional planning consent for the club on a new site at Lurvagh, Aughagower.
The new Westport United FC website was launched in the Castlecourt Hotel on Friday 27 April by Deputy Michael Ring TD
Michael Ring
Michael Ring is an Irish Fine Gael politician. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Mayo constituency since June 1994, and is the current Minister of State for Tourism and Sport....
. Guest of Honour that night was former Westport United manager, John Herrick and the 1987 Connacht Cup winning team.
In March 2010 Barry Kilgannon was appointed as manager of the club.