Ringmahon Rangers looking towards future as they celebrate 75th anniversay

Ringmahon Rangers FC are proudly celebrating their 75th anniversary year, marking a significant milestone in the club’s rich history with a series of special events, on-field achievements, and ambitious plans for the future.

The centrepiece of the celebrations will be a dinner dance in the Rochestown Park Hotel. The evening promises to be a memorable occasion, bringing together past and present members of the Ringmahon Rangers family.

A major highlight of the night will be the honouring of the three surviving members of the historic 1951 team who played in the club’s first-ever Ringmahon game. Their contribution to the foundations of the club will be formally recognised on what is sure to be an emotional and proud evening: Micheal Ahern, James O’Leary and Barry Fitzgerald.

The club will also acknowledge recent on-field success by honouring three amateur internationals from the past year – Glenn Towler, Tony Whitehead and Adam Delurey – celebrating their achievements and the continued production of top-level talent at Ringmahon Rangers.

There will be a number of other presentations on the evening but it with be finished off with some Music and Fun.

The night will be attended by several distinguished guests, including the Lord Mayor, FAI President Paul Cook, along with representatives from the Munster Senior League, Cork Schoolboy League, CWSSL, and many other football and community organisations.

Looking to the future, Ringmahon Rangers have ambitious infrastructure plans, with hopes to develop a new state-of-the-art 5G Astro pitch at Ringmahon Park. Discussions are currently ongoing regarding the acquisition of land from Cork City Council. While the club is hopeful of making an announcement by the dinner dance, confirmation will be shared when the time is right.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, the club also plans to host a summer golf classic, alongside a football tournament for academy teams, ensuring the 75th year celebrations are inclusive of all ages and truly reflect what the club is about.

On the pitch, Ringmahon Rangers continue to go from strength to strength. The club has a record 34 teams competing this season, including a historic milestone with the formation of a women’s team for the first time, competing in the CWSSL.

Last year, the club was awarded entry into the FA Cup, with ambitions to reach Level One entry by the end of 2026, thanks to ongoing work behind the scenes and the support of Ray Claffey and FAI staff.

Player development remains a cornerstone of the club, with seven players currently on trial for Home Nations selection under the Munster FA, ahead of provincial fixtures in Letterkenny this March. This follows on from last year’s success, when six Ringmahon Rangers players represented the club in Switzerland, a proud moment for all involved.

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Ringmahon is represented at highest levels of football over the 75-year history and chairman Paul Higgins speaks proudly of them all.

There has been a lot of talent come through the club, none more important than the contribution of Caoimhín Kelleher. 

Also representing us on a weekly basis is Alan Browne with Middlesbrough. 

"Another full Irish international playing outstanding football at the top of the Championship. We have Gabby and Pijus Otegebayo with Sheffield Wednesdays and Stoke, Franco Umeh with Portsmouth, Jaydan Umeh who played in recent U17 World Cup with Ireland and currently plying trade with Benfica B. 

"Cathal Heffernan is with Harrogate Town, Adam O’Reilly, Derry City, and Ewan Lee at Kerry FC.” 

Competitively, Ringmahon currently sit top of the Munster Senior League looking to secure a first MSL Premier in 56 years. 

"This team deserves to deliver a big trophy and have brought so much excitement to the grounds of Ringmahon over the past two years thanks to Basil and all lads. Our Junior Prem going for three in a row while Junior A are going for their third promotion in a row. 

"At underage level, all schoolboy teams are competing in the Premier Divisions of the Cork Schoolboy League – a feat not achieved by the club in almost 20 years."

The academy continues to thrive, catering for boys and girls at every age level, supported by a dedicated volunteer base.

“The club also extends sincere thanks to all sponsors supporting the 75th anniversary year, including main sponsor St. Michael’s Credit Union, alongside Simply Suits, IIS Installation, PDA Cork, Munster Scaffolding, Garry McCarthy Trophies and Ray and Patrica O’Mahony, who head into over 25 years supporting the club. Ray is an absolute class act for the community of Mahon whose continued backing is invaluable."