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History

Bay Football Club - A Brief History

Brian Mulholland (R.I.P.), Frank Quinn (R.I.P.), and Breffni Rowan founded Bay Football Club in April 1974.  In that first year the Club entered an under 11 team in the Dundalk Schoolboys League.

From that humble start the Club has grown and over the years has won every Cup and League in all divisions of Dundalk Schoolboy Football.

The Club first used the community field at the back of the school in Bay Estate as its home pitch.  The Club maintained the area by cutting the grass and continuos work to improve the playing surface. After a few years dressing rooms were put in place.  Drainage in the area was a constant problem and in the early nineties the Club invested heavily in having the pitch drained.  For two years the pitch was out of action while the drains were put in. During this time the Club played its home fixtures at the Marist College on St Mary’s road. When the work was completed the Bay Estate pitch was in excellent condition.  Unfortunately at this time the Club fell victim to continuos attack from mindless vandals.  The dressing rooms were constantly being broken into and the Clubs equipment destroyed. The goal posts were being used as battering rams to gain entry to the local school. Eventually the dressing rooms were burnt to the ground.

This prompted the then Committee to seek an alternative home in the area for the Club.  Permission to use the old Summer League pitch on the Blackrock road was granted by Dundalk Town Council. After two years of development and a lot of money the one pitch was brought into use in September 1998.

Bay F.C. was the first Dundalk Schoolboy Club to send a team overseas to compete in an International competition. The competition was in Norwich and the Under 18 side just failed to qualify for the final when they finished runner up in their group on goal difference. The Club has also sent an under 11 side to an international competition in Blackpool.  In the nineteen eighties many of our teams travelled to Scotland as the Club fostered good relationships with a number of Scottish Schoolboy Clubs.

Bay F.C. has also produced its share of stars: Paul Gaughran received 3 International Caps for Ireland at under 16 level. Ciaran Cavanagh played for U.C.D. and Dundalk F.C., while Ciaran Dunne played for Dundalk F.C.  Chris Malone played for Blackburn Rovers before returning to play in the Nation League.

These are just a few of the many fine players who have been proud to include Bay F.C. on their C.V.’s and there are many more players currently playing for the Club just waiting to be discovered.

While it is nice to discover a star player who can go on to the international stage Bay Football Club just aims to provide enjoyment, and sport for as many young boys and girls from the area as possible.