Lough Derg and Birdhill Soccer Clubs to merge

The committees of both Lough Derg (Ballina/Killaloe) and Birdhill soccer clubs have agreed to merge at all age grades from juvenile to adult level.

Both clubs have been engaging over the last number of months about a possible merger of the neighbouring clubs. While both clubs have proud traditions, in Birdhill’s case 40 years and Lough Derg FC 21 years, there is strength in unity.

Lough Derg FC brings a large and well-organised juvenile playing base of almost 600 members and 60 coaching volunteers, providing opportunities for all players, genders, and abilities. The Lakeside clubs current challenge is playing pitches at its base at Clarisford Park which has a 3G all-weather pitch which is a vital training facility, but the challenge is, with over thirty squads, these facilities are not enough, and they are restricting the club’s growth.

Lough Derg FC is well run and has achieved both FAI Clubmark and Clubmark 1 Star demonstrating the highest standards in governance and player development.

Birdhill AFC is a wonderful club ran by dedicated community focused football people. With a membership base of 170, Birdhill too has achieved FAI Clubmark certification for good governance. To the great credit of the club, they have developed wonderful playing facilities. The old pitch on Dublin road is a fine facility but the new pitch development is an amazing facility and with further room to expand on the site, the future is bright.

Unlike Lough Derg, the challenge for Birdhill has been having the numbers and coaches to support squads at all age groups, resulting in many players playing out of age group, or indeed, being lost to the game.

The committees of both clubs have agreed the following amalgamation plans at a high level.

Year 1 – merge juvenile playing entities and compete in NTSFL leagues as a combined Lough Derg Birdhill United squad (Names haven’t yet been agreed). This ensures there is age, gender, and ability level football squad for all, both males and females. A joint committee will be set up to run juvenile football. The combined playing facilities of the two clubs will be available to the juvenile entity.

Both Birdhill AFC and Lough Derg FC club entities will remain and retain responsibility for non-juvenile football, including junior men’s, and women’s football, governance, compliance, funding etc. There is no impact to these squads in the first year.

While both clubs fully intend to make this proposal work, if it doesn’t, after a one year period it can be reversed.

Year 2 – assuming year one is successful, in year two we will formally merge clubs, pool all assets and liabilities, and become one entity. Once this is completed and irreversible, we will focus on facility development with the ultimate goal to develop a full size all weather floodlight playing and training facility to ensure our squads, present and future, have the best facilities to ensure year round accessibility to football for everyone in our expanded community.

This is set to be an exciting time for both clubs. The landscape in both communities is changing with the new bridge over the river Shannon and new roads will connect communities as never before. Clarisford Park and Birdhill’s Dublin road grounds will then be within 5km of each other once the bridge opens.