Fanad United F.C.

Football club infobox
clubname = Fanad United


fullname = Fanad United Football Club
nickname = "United"
founded = 1975
ground = Tragh-a-Lough, Co. Donegal
capacity = 4,000 | chairman = Fr. Michael Sweeney
manager = Ollie Horgan
league = Irish Ulster Senior League
season = 2007
position = 1st

Fanad United Football Club is a football club currently playing in the Ulster Senior League. The club was founded by Fr. Michael Sweeney, the current club President, in 1975 in Fanad, Co. Donegal and are one of the founding members of the league. Fanad play their home games at Tragh-a-Lough. Club colours are red and black.

uccess

The teams success in the Ulster Senior League is unrivalled, with 13 titles to their name. Fanad have also won the FAI Intermediate Cup on two occasions, defeating Tramore Athletic in the 1988 final and Corinthians in 1995. They suffered heartbreak the following season when they were defeated in the 1996 final by Wayside Celtic and denied the chance to retain their title. They have also come close to adding more titles in various seasons but were knocked out in 2005 by Avondale United from Cork. Success at local level in the 1980s qualified Fanad for the National League Cup. The high point of their successes during that spell came in 1986, with their victory over League of Ireland giants, Derry City F.C., then managed by Noel King. They went on to reach the semi finals of the League Cup that season losing to the then all-conquering Shamrock Rovers. Other successes included a 4 -0 win away to Bray Wanderers and the meeting with Shamrock Rovers in 2005 at Dalymount Park in the FAI Cup.

tadium

The club's ground at Tragh-a-Lough, between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay is noted as being one of the best in the league. The club regularly receives high attendances at its fully flood-lit ground, the most notable of these perhaps coming with the visit of Willie McStay's Glasgow Celtic Under 19s in February 2006 when over 4,000 spectators turned up to see the first official game under lights.

Honours

*"'Irish Ulster Senior League: 13
*FAI Intermediate Cup: 2
**1987–88, 1994–95

Notable Players

Numerous players have learnt their trade at Fanad United before playing in the FAI National League and that tradition still continues, as squads at U16 and U18 level remain an integral part of the club. Players such as Patrick McGrenaghan, Shane Bradley, John McElwaine, Charlie McGeever, Davitt Walsh and current senior team assistant-manager Colm McGonagle have, through the years, worn the colours of Fanad with distinction.

Future

Fanad United currently enter the FAI Cup at the first-round stage where they are drawn against other non-league clubs from around the country. The club has recently objected strongly to the Letterkenny Rovers backed notion of a switch to summer football, arguing that his move only benefits teams whose facilities are not up scratch and punishes teams whose are. Also it brings it into direct competition with GAA, with the probability of there being only one winner there. Players will also have to play in hot weather and on rock hard pitches, causing numerous strains and pulls. However, in what must be considered a most undemocratic vote, with only three teams voting in favour, the motion was passed. One of the most amazing statements made was that Fanad had won too many titles so a change had to be made!

External links

* [http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=312 Fanad United tap into a rich reservoir of talent] "FAI.ie"