With 18 teams and FAI recognition, Los Zarcos club in Millstreet is flying high
The Los Zarcos U12 team after their semi-final win over Midleton.
Los Zarcos FC’s recent recognition as one of nine Cork clubs to achieve the prestigious FAI Club Mark Entry Level is more than just an administrative milestone, it is a reflection of decades of resilience, growth, and community spirit in Millstreet.
Awarded by the Football Association of Ireland, the Club Mark acknowledges high standards in governance, safeguarding, and overall club organisation.
For chairman Cian O’Mahony it is a proud moment that captures both how far the club has come and the direction it is heading. Although Los Zarcos FC, in its current form, was re-established in 2001, its story stretches back much further.
The club’s origins lie in the 1970s, when a group connected to the Malpaso Bar formed a team to compete in a local pub league. That team evolved into Millstreet’s first soccer club, competing across West Cork and Kerry before eventually disbanding in the 1980s. The rebirth of the club in 2001 marked a new era, one that would gradually build toward the current thriving organisation.
“The name Los Zarcos, meaning light blues in Spanish, was coined by Brian O’Sullivan of the Malpaso Bar, hence our sky-blue jerseys."
That identity has endured, even as the club has expanded dramatically in scale and ambition.
Los Zarcos FC boasts over 350 members and fields 18 teams across adult and underage levels. At adult level, two teams compete in AUL Divisions 1 and 3, with a newly introduced B team helping bridge the gap between youth football and senior competition.
The club’s underage structure has seen particularly rapid development in recent years, with 11 boys’ teams ranging from U6 to U17, alongside five girls’ teams, a significant step forward in inclusivity and participation.
The introduction of underage football in 2021 and girls’ teams in 2022 marked a turning point. These additions not only broadened the club’s reach but also strengthened its foundations for long-term success.
O’Mahony himself has witnessed this evolution firsthand, having been involved since the club’s reformation and remaining one of its longest-serving members alongside Ronan Galvin and Mark Neville.
“I played up until last year and have seen the club evolve significantly—from early years with limited success on the pitch to more recent achievements, including a Presidents Cup win and league promotions. We’re currently competing strongly in Division 1 and pushing for Premier Division promotion.”
Off the pitch, O’Mahony’s contributions have been equally significant, serving in roles ranging from treasurer to juvenile chair before becoming chairman.
“I’m fortunate to work with an outstanding committee, coaches, and volunteers whose dedication makes the role much easier.
That collective spirit was especially evident during the year-long process of securing the FAI Club Mark. The achievement required dedication across multiple areas, from safeguarding to coach education. Key figures such as vice-chairman Richard Burke, secretary Ronan Galvin, juvenile secretary Ashlean Tarrant, treasurer Shane Dineen and child welfare officer Tom O’Riordan played pivotal roles in reaching the required standards.
The club has already set its sights on the next step, achieving One Star level. Central to that ambition is continued investment in coaching and player development, highlighted by the appointment of Johnny Byrne as head of football.
Challenges remain. The club’s base in Millstreet Town Park has long been a source of pride, and the addition of leased land on Station Road in 2022 has helped accommodate growing demand. However, maintaining pitches for 18 teams in Irish weather requires constant effort and investment. Volunteers such as Denis Hickey and John O’Riordan play a crucial role in ensuring the facilities remain match-ready.
That community spirit remains the club’s heartbeat. From parents travelling long distances for away fixtures to sponsors like the Malpaso Bar, Duggan’s Steel, and Cloverhill, Los Zarcos FC is sustained by a network of committed individuals and businesses.
Perhaps the clearest symbol of the club’s progress is that, on May 16, the U12 girls’ team will compete in their Shield final. The first underage team in the club’s history to reach a final.
From its humble beginnings in a pub league to its current status as a recognised, community-driven club with ambitious plans, Los Zarcos continues to embody the spirit of grassroots football.
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