Ballingarry AFC has always recognized loyalty and good service in its players. With this in mind the club honours players who reach the 200 game land mark by presenting them with a suitable token and by entering them in the “200 club”. Only competitive junior appearances for Ballingarry AFC are recorded both for the clubs main team and the clubs B team. Appearances as substitutes are also included.
1. Colm Kiely – 451 appearances
When Colm Kiely played against Glin Rovers on Sunday March 5th 2006 he became just the tenth player in the history of the club to make 200 competitive appearances. He made his debut as a left winger against Killeaney during a Division 1 4-3 loss at the start of the 98/99 season but he was soon switched to sweeper where he has excelled during the vast majority of his 200 games. Played underage for the club where he enjoyed success at youth level captaining the side to the first ever league success enjoyed by a Ballingarry youth team. Was also a part of the youth side to win the Munster Youth Cup area final in 1998/99. A league cup winners medal would complete his collection having won both the Desmond cup and Premier division title with the juniors. Young enough and keen enough to suggest that he could well set a new appearance record as he is still a very active player. Three of his 5 goals to date for the club were scored during his debut season of 1998/99.
Considering both his age and attitude plus his passion for soccer above all other sports, expect Colm Kiely to become the clubs most appeared player. He now has all the junior honours within the LDFL available to him won with two Desmond cups and a 1st division league cup among his collection. He became just the third player to break the 300 mark for the club during season 2009-10. He rarely sees yellow and has never seen red which is a reflection on the ability and attitude of a truly wonderful Ballingarry player.
As was expected Kiely set a new club appearance record with his 364th competitive appearance for the club in the 6-0 trouncing of Broadford United B in the first round of the Desmond Cup on Sunday 24th of February 2013. Kiely, who since his debut in September 1998 has featured in every season since was given a guard of honour by both teams as he entered the pitch. Made captain for the day he was presented with a commemorative trophy by club President Moss Doody while the man whose record he broke, James Higgins, was also in attendance to congratulate the new record holder.
Kiely has picked every major domestic with the club including the Premier title, two Desmond cups, three division 1 titles and two division 1 league cups. He has also won the clubs Player of the Year award on two occasions while he has also captained the side. He has proved a credit to the club having never been sent off while collecting a handful of yellow cards. As always he was a rock during this landmark appearance that Ballingarry cruised through, making up for the Desmond cup embarrassment at the same stage against the same opponents last term and a fitting way to honour one of the clubs great players.
On November 16th 2014 Colm became the first player in the clubs history to make 400 competitive appearances when he played in a Premier Division 3-3 draw against NCW Rovers at The Paddocks. The record had come during a seventeen season career with the club and without doubt qualifies the player as a club legend.
Player statistics
2. Darragh O’Grady – 425 appearances
Started on his journey to two hundred junior appearances for the club at under 10 and progressed through the schoolboy ranks picking up medals at almost every age group along the way. An integral part of the clubs most successful youth side that won the Youth cup and two league titles plus a MY Cup semi final appearance before debuting for the juniors in August 2000. Trophies have continued to accumulate for the cultured utility player with Desmond Cup, Premier Division, Division 1 league and cup medals residing in his abode.
Captained the side during the George Quinlivan reign season 2008-09 and was voted Player of the Year that same season. Has also figured on the LDFL Oscar Traynor squad and youth squads along the way. Goals have come his way as well with over 40 strikes to his name to date.
Up to October 14th 2012 just two players in the history of Ballingarry AFC had completed 300 competitive appearances for the club. On that day Darragh O’Grady became just the third when he helped Ballingarry progress into the third round of the FAI Junior Cup at the expense of visiting Burren United of Clare. It was a memorable couple of weeks for the one club man as he had scored his 50th goal for the club just the previous month. He has been one of the clubs most loyal servants with his attitude towards those around him on the field singling him out as a perfect role model and should he continue to stay injury free and motivated he could well become Ballingarrys most played player.
Darragh became the second player in the clubs history to reach the 400 mark when he featured against Abbeyfeale United at Riverside Park on March 3
rd 2017 during the clubs Premier League fixture.
Player statistics
3. Francis Kiely – 374 appearances
The number 13 is viewed by many as one that brings ill fortune but for Francis Kiely it will be fondly remembered. On the 13th of January 2013 he enrolled in the prestigious 200 club with Ballingarry AFC when playing against Newcastlewest Rovers during a 3-0 Premier division first round cup game at The Paddocks.
Kielys career with the club has spanned an eleven season period from his debut for the A team on August 25th 2000 up to and including that January day when he made his 200th appearance. He would surely have reached this notable milestone if his career hadn’t been interrupted by immigration during seasons 2001-02 and again during season 2009-10 when his return from Australia saw him resume his career with the clubs B team before again lining out for the clubs main side. It was during this period that he played five of his total number of games for the B team.
A highly skillful player he is equally comfortable on either foot. Before playing for the junior side he enjoyed a highly successful underage career with the club captaining the youth side to their first ever Desmond youth cup in 2001-02. The success continued at junior level with Premier division title, Desmond cup, Division one title and Division one league cup winners medals in his cabinet. He was also voted Ballingarry A team Player of the Year in 2006-07. While joining the 200 club he has also entered the “Sharpshooters” club having scored 50 goals for the club. One of those goals was during the Desmond Cup final replay victory of 2007.
Francis became the eight player to break the 300 mark on September 9th 2016 during a 1-1 Premier division draw at Newcastle West Rovers.
Player statistics
4. James Higgins – 363 appearances
With 363 appearances to his name he is by far the player with the most appearances for the club and it’s a record that is likely to last for a long time. Played the vast majority of his games at centre half where he also played for the league at both junior and youth level. Booked just once in his career and never sent off probably says all that need be said about his approach to the game. Almost signed for Newcastle United when they were in the League of Ireland in the late 80’s but declined their offer at the last minute. The pinnacle of his career was without doubt winning the Desmond cup with the club in 2002. Captained the team during several seasons and was voted Player of the Year twice. Last played for the club on 28/8/2005 against Abbeyfeale United in the Premier division, it was his 363rd game for Ballingarry, a period during which he scored 8 goals.
Player statistics
5. Michael Condron – 338 appearances
The first player in the clubs’ history to play through all the ranks available to him. Started with the club as a schoolboy and progressed to making his debut in the FAI Junior Cup for the juniors. Started his career as a right winger before reverting to his defensive role. His 247 appearances has yielded 27 goals for the club while he has also won league and cup honours. Made his 200th appearance in 2003 in a premier league game against Rathkeale.
Player statistics
6. Denis Kelly – 324 appearances
Denis Kelly became the first Ballingarry AFC player to hold the notable distinction of reaching all three milestones in the clubs hall of fame when he made his 200th appearance for the club on May 29th 2011 and appropriately it was during an historic occasion for the club as the secured their second division 1 league cup with a 3-2 extra time win against Athea United. If there was a disappointment in the occasion for Denis it was probable in the fact that this was the first visit that the striker made to Clonreask with the club during which he did not score a goal.
Kelly started his junior soccer career with neighbours Granagh United where he proved himself a prolific scorer before signing for Ballingarry at the start of season 2002-03. He scored on his debut for the club which was at Glantine Rovers during a division 1 league cup game that Ballingarry won 2-0. He gained instant success with the club as they won the division 1 title that season and this was followed by their first ever Premier division title the following year when Kelly got the only goal in a playoff against Rathkeale.
Denis has collected all the honours while on the books at Ballingarry which includes Desmond cup and divisional league success while he also has the knack of picking up the man of the match award in any final he plays in for the club. He had been voted Ballingarry AFC player of the year while he has also collected the LDFL Division 1 Player of the Year in 2007-08. He has been a fine servant to the club while he is a model player both on and off the pitch. He would surely have reached this milestone in his career earlier had it not been for an injury that kept him side lined for the entire 2009-10 season.
Denis became just the seventh player in the clubs history to reach the notable milestone of 300 appearances when he played on October 4
th 2016 and marked the occasion in trade mark fashion by scoring. He has been a model payer for the club throughout a career with us that spans thirteen seasons and considering he operates as a forward he has taken quite a bit of punishment on the way. Yellow cards are a rarity while red is non-existent. He has always lead by example and has been a massive player for us over the years.
Player statistics
7. Pat Kenrick – 323 appearances
Patrick Kenrick joined the club at the start of season 2000-01 and made his debut in goal during the FAI junior cup 1st round game against Turnpike Rovers of Clare making an instant impact as he kept a clean sheet in the 3-0 win. Its fair to say that one of the most startling statistics attached to Kenricks name is the number of goals he has scored as Pat Kenrick is a goalkeeper. He possesses a powerful shot and on numerous occasions he has been deployed to take frees and its from this source that keeper Kenrick has scored 12 goals for Ballingarry.
Kenrick completed his 200th appearance for the club against Shannonside in the Premier division fixture on November 11th 2011 in an epic 3-3 draw having started playing for the club at under 16. During his nine seasons with club he has shared in almost every honour the club has won, captaining the team during many campaigns and has every honour achievable within the Limerick Desmond league as a Ballingarry player while he has also played at inter league level for both the junior and youth teams. He has also collected winners medals at under 16 and youth for the club. A commanding presence between the posts capable of making astounding saves however if asked he would probably say that his goal from a free kick which opened the scoring during Ballingarrys first ever Desmond cup win would be his most memorable moment. He was captain during the division 1 league and cup double winning season 2010-11 and was voted Player of the Year in 2001-02. He is the first goalkeeper to enter the 200 club and the fourteenth player to make 200 appearances for Ballingarry AFC.
When Patrick made his 300th appearance on November 11
th 2016 he marked it in trademark fashion by keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 Munster Junior Cup second round fixture in The Paddocks against Athea United. He became the just the ninth player to play 300 games for the club.
Player statistics
8. Eoin Barrett – 322 appearances
The youngest player to play for the club at just fourteen and a half when he debuted in goal for the B Team he is still playing today (2010) and enjoying his nineteenth season for Ballingarry. Has played in every department but hasn’t played in every position.A fine goalkeeper but also a strong player up the middle. Captained the side to their Desmond cup success in 2001/02. Has scored 32 goals for the club one of which is especially memorable as it came in the last minute of a game against St. Bens when he moved from his goalkeeping position for a corner to head home. It secured a point for Ballingarry in a season that they avoided relegation by just one point. While all of his goals were for the A Team he played 32 of his total number of games for the B Team.
He remains a combative and committed player and but for injury would surely have reached this milestone in his career much earlier than he did. Part of the squad that won the LDFL Division 1 League and Cup double in 2007-08 adding two more winners medals to an already impressive haul. Work commitments will probably see his presence on the pitch restricted from here on but there is little doubt that when ever he does play he will offer that same whole hearted effort that the club has become accustomed to over the past 19 seasons during which he has scored 42 goals.
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9. John Cronin – 304 appearances
Stands second in the all time appearance rankings with 304 appearances. A utility player who has played in every position except in goal. Seventeen of his 300 plus games were played for the B team where he scored 10 of his 42 goals. Was introduced as a late substitute in the Desmond cup final of 2002 to score the last goal of the game. Voted Player of the Year in 1999/2000 and like James Higgins has been involved as a player with the club for seventeen seasons. Presently club Chairman while he has also combined playing with managing at underage where he has enjoyed success.
Player statistics
10. Brian Fitzgerald – 291 appearances
Following his debut on August 22nd 2003 “Fitzy” went on to become the 18th player to break into the 200 Club when he played in his regular position of centre half against Broadford United in Cove Park during a 2-0 Premier division defeat. He came through the ranks at the club starting out with the under 10s and picking up medals a plenty along the way. Part of the youth team that won the first ever youth cup for Ballingarry in 2002. He became the first player to follow his fathers (Liam) footsteps and play for the clubs A team, before that he captained the B team to the division 3 title 2008/09.
A teak tough defender he poses a major threat in the air where almost all of his goals, 20 in total, have come from headers at the end of set pieces.
His finest moment would probably have come during the Division 1 league cup final of 2010/11 at Clounreask when his 2 goals, the second in extra-time, secured that particular cup for Ballingarry on a 3-2 scoreline.
His bravery and leadership qualities has seen him captain both the A team, 2012-2015, and B team, 2008/09, while he was also the first player in the clubs history to win both the B team (2008/09) and the A team (2011/12) Player of the Year awards.
Player statistics
11. Niall Condron – 265 appearances
The second Condron brother to be initiated into the 200 club and therefore along with brother Mike become the first players from the same family to reach this milestone. A midfield player all his career holding the envious record of captaining the club to the first and so far only Premier division title in 2003-04. Played through the ranks with Ballingarry but always seemed to be just one year ahead of success. That all changed when he hit the junior scene. Two division 1 titles, two Desmond cup, a league cup and of course that Premier title adorn his cabinet while he was voted club Player of the Year in 2002-03. He has found the net 26 times.
Player statistics
12. Marcus Moore – 248 appearances
Made his 200th competitive appearance for the club against Shauntrade in the Munster Junior Cup 2nd round fixture on October 28th 2018, over ten years following his debut on August 31st 2008 and marking the milestone occasion with a goal in a 2-0 win. A product of the clubs underage structure he has enjoyed success at under age level with U17 cup winners medals plus league and league cup winners medals in the junior ranks. Would probably describe himself as a defensive mid fielder but having said that he has got his fair share of goals, 39 in total. Of his 208 appearances 198 have been for the A team with the remainder B team appearances. 34 of his goals have been scored for the main club side with the remainder B team strikes.
Player statistics
13. Padraig Forde – 240 appearances
A centre forward full stop. While making those 240 appearances also set a new club goalscoring record with 118 goals a record that seems a long way from being broken. One of the few club players to score on his debut. Played on the inter league team twice and has one winners medal with the club that being the division one of 2002/2003. Injury denied him a Desmond cup medal in 2002. Played 17 of his 240 games for the club for the B Team where he also plundered eight of his goals. By the time he had stopped playing his career had spanned sixteen seasons.
Player statistics
14. Michael Corrigan – 234 appearances
During the very first game of the 2012-13 season, his twelfth with Ballingarry AFC, Mike Corrigan made his 200th competitive game for the club and so joined that elite 200 Club with the fourteen other Ballingarry players that have reached this landmark in their careers. Corrigan debuted with the club in August 1997 against neighbours Knockaderry following a successful underage career with the club he would develop into a towering combative central midfield player.
During his 200 game spell he has picked up numerous trophies including two Desmond cup winners medals, however he will be dissappointed to have missed out on a Premier medal as he was injured and missed Ballingarrys greatest triumph. He was voted the A team player of the year in 1998-99 in what was just his second season with Ballingarry while he has the notable distinction of being the first Ballingarry player to score in the new Millennium. All of his appearances have come for the A team while he has rowed in with 12 goals.
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15. John Clancy – 225 appearances
A founder member of the club and played on the first ever Ballingarry team, he was the first ever player to reach the 200 mark when he played against Glin Rovers on December 28th 1992. Suffered a serious knee injury while playing against Ceeves Celtic in 1993 and a re-occurrence of the injury in 1994 saw him end his career. Played most of his football at right full back but also operated in midfield and on the right wing. Scored one of Ballingarrys goals when they clinched their first ever trophy in 1986 against Deel United Bin the last game of the season to lift the inaugural Division 3 title. By the time he was forced to hang up his boots he had played a total of 225 games for Ballingarry and scored 20 goals.
Still highly active within the club and the one person most responsible for the development of the clubs facilities. His efforts were recognised in 1999 when he was awarded the Special Merit Award by the Desmond District League.
Player statistics
16. Niall Cahill – 215 appearances
The younger of the two Cahill brothers made his 200th competitive appearance for the club on October 24th 2017 against Athea United at The Vales in a 4-0 Ballingarry win and so became the 20th player in the clubs history to do so. The teak tough defender debuted for the club on May 12th 2006 at home against Abbeyfeale United in a 1-0 Premier division loss. Over the following 12 seasons he would make all but just nine of his 200 appearances for the A team.
In his trophy cabinet can be seen displayed a Desmond cup winners medal (06/07), two Division 1 winners medals (07/08, 10/11) and two Division 1 league cup winners medals (07/08, 10/11) while he has been voted Ballingarry A team player of the year on three occasions (10/11, 15/16, 16/17).
Goals have been hard to come by for the defender with three his total to date. Niall will be described as the complete team player honest to a fault when he puts on the Green and Gold jersey.
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17. John O’Grady – 211 appearances
O’Grady became just the 19th player in the clubs history to make 200 appearances when he featured during the clubs Munster Junior Cup first round defeat of Shannonside on October 8th 2017 at The Paddocks. While the vast majority of his appearances will have been in goal he can however operate outfield usually in the number nine position.
He debuted for the club during a Premier Division league game against Broadford United in which Ballingarry lost 2-3 at The Paddocks on February 6th 2005 with his most active season being 2007/08 when he appeared 26 times for the A team.
He has collected a number of honours along the way which include Division 1 winner twice and Division 1 League cup winner once. However pride of place will surely be the Desmond cup winners medal he picked up in 2007 plus the fact that he wrote himself into the clubs history books during that final when he came out from goal to send a tremendous free kick all the way to the net from his own half for Ballingarry’s second goal as they went on to beat NCW Rovers 3-2 AET in a replay.
In fact he has scored 11 goals in total for the club. An accomplished goalkeeper noted for his shot stopping ability he was voted A Team Player of the Year in 2005/06.
Player statistics
18. Ned Cagney – 210 appearances
Played for thirteen seasons for the club including one season for the B Team (1991/92) when he played seven times and scored two goals. His remaining 203 games and thirty goals were for the clubs’ main team. Played on and captained the side during their first ever competitive fixture against Askeaton B in September 1984 in the absence of James Higgins. Most of his football was played up the middle with centre midfield his favoured position. Retired at the end of season 1995/96 but returned briefly at the start of season 1997/98 when he made four appearances the last of which was an FAI Junior Cup fixture in Shannon in November 1997.
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19. Dean Clancy – 207 appearances
The versatile player made his debut on 17/04/2011 and has operated in most outfield positions. Dean becomes the 22nd player to reach the 200 appearance milestone. His tally would surely me much more but for sustaining a serious leg injury forcing him to miss the majority of the 2018/2019 season. Covid 19 also robbed him of a significant amount of games as the 2019/2020 season was curtailed in March 2020 and the following season was cancelled after just one game. Many more game to come for the Ballingarry AFC stalworth we hope.
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20. Pa O’Shea – 206 appearances
Pa made his club debut for the clubs B Team in their first ever fixture and would play a total of 34 games for the seconds. A naturally left sided player he played most of his football at left back or left midfield. However he was also an accomplished goalkeeper playing almost the entire of season 1992/93 in that position. Saved the last penalty of the shoot out in the League Cup semi-final of 1992/93 that sent the club to their first ever League Cup final. First ever winner of the B Team Player of the Year award. His eight goals were all scored for the clubs A Team.
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21. Aidan Barrett – 205 appearances
When Aidan Barrett crossed the white line for the clubs B team to appear against Creeves Celtic in a Division 3 league game on the 1th of December 2013 he was doing so for Ballingarry for the 200th occasion and so joined his brother Eoin as a Ballingarry AFC 200 club member.
He has enjoyed a marvellous career with the club spanning back over an 11 season period from his club debut at 19 years old against Askeaton in the Desmond cup at the Paddocks. Unfortunately it wasn’t a joyous occasion for the player as the side went under 1-0 to the visitors.
While he is a towering and fearless centre half who has 21 goals to his credit, he is also an accomplished goalkeeper and it was in this position that he resumed his career with the clubs B team on his return to Ballingarry in 2013 after a three year absence and it was also in this position that he hit the 200 mark for the club. Every honour of note is displayed in his cabinet including two Desmond cup medals in 2002 and 2007 when he was captain, a division 1 league cup and division 1 league double when he was also captain and of course a Premier division winners medal which he won in 2003/04. If asked one imagines this to be one of his most prized possessions as he as much as anyone drove Ballingarry to that title that season. Late goals from him against Broadford United and Shanagolden clinched six vital points as Ballingarry secured a title playoff against Rathkeale.
He was also voted the clubs Player of the Year that glorious season which of course shows the value of his contribution to the club that season. His appearance on December 1st was his fifth appearance for the clubs B team of his total of 200.
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22. Pat Doody – 205 appearances
Rotated between right back, right midfield and right wing during his twelve seasons and 205 appearances for the club. Captained the A Team during the 1996/97 division 1 season and while he has two league cup runners up medals he has no winners trophy with the club. He scored 27 goals in all for the club, 6 of which were for the B Team. Was the clubs’ designated penalty taker for many seasons during which he missed just once from the spot. Thirty three of his games were also for the B Team.
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