Blarney United A.F.C.

Founded 1949

Ground : O Shea Park, Riverview, Tower, Blarney.

Blarney United was founded in 1949, a very difficult undertaking at the time as there was really no such thing as a rural soccer club. They entered the Athletic Union League (an organisation that was then in its infancy). Blarney had the use of a playing pitch in Tower, the pitch had been used by Shournagh Valley hurling team until it was disbanded. Although they never won any competition, the Club enjoyed good times in the mid 1950’s. However, towards the end of the decade they lost the use of their pitch and the Club disbanded shortly afterwards.

Following England’s victory in the 1966 World Cup and the arrival of TV, there was a major increase in the interest in soccer and a group of interested people decided to reform the club. Blarney United was reformed in 1967, and won its section of the AUL third division in its first year. The following year  the now famous Square League was started and has since been one of the highlights of summer soccer in Cork (thanks to the continued support of Blarney Castle Estate).

Since then the Club has prospered, winning all of the major competitions on offer at Junior level in the Cork area. Our Schoolboy section is alive and well and is also sharing in the Club's success. This improvement has come about due to the success of our excellently run Academy which was set up some years ago. Currently we cater for boys from the tender age of six. 

In 2004 the Club decided to go Senior and in its first season won the Munster Senior League First Division title along with The Pop Kelleher Cup and The Over 35 Floodlight Cup. In our first season in the Munster Senior League Premier Division we finished a very creditable fourth, and reached the final of the F.A.I. Intermediate Cup.

Down through the years Blarney United always had a problem in securing a permanent home. As already stated they played in Tower in the 1950’s. On reforming in 1967 their first pitch was the Blarney Castle Sports Field, from there they moved to Paul’s Cross where the Club enjoyed moderate success and  built up an underage section. Having lost the use of this pitch the Club moved to Newcastle a few miles out. After a few years of mixed results it returned to Blarney and played  in what is now Gleann Na Ri and Joe O Reilly’s before moving to Riverview. While O’Shea park was being developed the club moved to Monard, but due to lack of facilities locally the first team was forced to play its home matches in Carrigaline for a season. It was a great day for all concerned that  when the Club returned to the refurbished O’ Shea  Park in 2001 it was as  proud holders of the AUL Premier Division and the AOH Cup. .

It is hoped to further develop our facilities and introduce worthwhile modern developments that will be of benefit to the youth of both Blarney and Tower.